Ninety juvenile P. argus were distributed in three tanks with an approximate capacity of 150 liters of water connected to a recirculation system with 300% daily replacement. Subsequently, one organism with signs of PaV1 infection was introduced into each pond for 120 days.
Hemolymph was extracted to determine the activity of the immuno-physiological components of the peripheral system. Diagnosis of infection was made by qPCR using samples from the hepatopancreas. Immunological evaluations were also performed: hemagglutination activity and total phenoloxidase activity (PO).
Statistical analysis (ANOVA), showed a decrease in the levels of hemocytes, hemagglutinating activity, and hemo-cyanin concentration. On the other hand, the phenoloxidase system did not show significant differences. However, the components of this system showed a decrease in plasma total phenoloxidase and an increase in hemocyte granule phenoloxidase.
The results suggest that experimental viral infection produce a defense response similar to natural pathways of contagion, and provides the bases to validate an immunological challenge protocol for crustaceans.
Acknowledgments
This work was carried out with the support of the UNAM
(PAPIIT
IN217322 , IT201621).