WWW.WA S .ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • DECEMBER 2022 29 Aquaculture and pathology are no different from other activities that humans are involved in, as there is occasionally a trend to research a specific pathogen more than another, so it is no surprise that unexpected results appear. The evolution of concepts and ideas should go in parallel and along with scientific developments and the evidence obtained from field experiences. Regulations should also evolve, and it is precisely this that helps to improve and implement actions that have common sense and adjust to realities observed under practical field conditions. The Infectious Hypodermal and Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHHNV) is an excellent example of this situation. A review of the scientific literature about the behavior of this virus gives us an opportunity to appreciate how it has evolved, how it has interacted with its penaeid shrimp hosts, and how concepts and the general vision of this pathogen and the disease it causes has changed. All viruses mutate, so it is natural and expected that this will happen. Some viruses mutate at a higher rate than others, but sooner or later a mutation occurs. Along with these viral mutations, hosts will find a way to co-exist with them (Flint et al. 2015). Given that this is a biological fact, finding out that there is a viral mutation should be no surprise, as it is a natural biological process. Evolution happens, independent of whether we like or accept the idea or not. Living organisms have interacted with viruses since the beginning of life on earth and have evolved ways to face them, overcome their effects and survive. If bacteria do it (Asad and Katsourakis 2012, Gao et al. 2022, Virrareal 2001), insects do it (Goic and Saleh 2012) shrimp should also do it (Flegel 2007, 2020, Utari et al. 2017), as other IHHNV: Origins and Realities after 40 Years Xavier Romero and Eduardo Reyes ( C O N T I N U E D O N P A G E 3 0 ) Certain populations of genetically selected shrimp apparently have adapted and developed resistance and tolerance to IHHNV, reflected in good production levels with IHHNV-positive populations. It is possible to select and develop genetic lines of shrimp that can tolerate or resist this virus. If this selection occurs in cultured shrimp populations and there is evidence of no negative effects at commercial levels, why not then retire (delist) IHHNV from the list of Obligatory Notifiable Diseases by the World Organization of Animal Health?
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjExNDY=