Hepatopancreatic parvo-like virus (HPV) of Penaeus Japonicus cultured in Australia

Abstract

A hepatopancreatic parvo-like virus (HPV) infection was identified in the hepatopancreata of moribund Penaeus japonicus postlarvae from a hatchery in Queensland. The virus formed basophilic, fine granular intranuclear inclusion bodies within the hepatopancreocytes. These caused nuclear hypertrophy and displacement of the nucleolus. Sub-spherical vital particles, 17-20 nm in diameter, were observed embedded within the inclusions. We will refer to this virus as HPV to avoid confusion within the literature. However, molecular data is required to definitively identify this virus as HPV.