Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) co-infection with pathogenic Vibrio spp ., which drives white feces syndrome (WFS), undermines survival and feed efficiency in shrimp aquaculture. As the syndrome involves both parasitic invasion and bacterial colonization, an effective countermeasure must target spore viability and bacterial proliferation while supporting host immunocompetence and gut health. This report consolidates results from a series of in vitro, laboratory, and field trials evaluating the efficacy of a phytobiotic-based additive (Sanacore GM, Adisseo) with broad-spectrum disease management properties against EHP-WFS in shrimp.
The in vitro assay evaluated the direct effect of the additive on EHP viability by incubating it with EHP spores and monitoring spore germination. A detailed laboratory challenge was conducted in Penaeus vannamei co-infected with EHP and Vibrio spp., following a strategic application protocol consisting of a continuous preventive dose, boosted with a corrective dose upon disease symptom onset. Shrimp received a preventive dose of 0.3% for a 14-day pre-challenge period, followed by a corrective dose of 0.5% for 10 days during the challenge phase, and then returned to the preventive dose for a 35-day post-challenge period. Further field validations applying the same preventive-plus-corrective strategy were carried out in Indonesia, Malaysia, India, and China, each with differing disease histories, to evaluate the additive’s performance under varied farming conditions.
The phytobiotic-based additive exhibited strong anti-EHP activity, effectively inhibiting spore germination in vitro. In the EHP-Vibrio co-infection challenge, it suppressed EHP replication, reducing spore load by 97% at the early infection stage and 40% at later stages compared to the positive control. Shrimp fed with the additive showed improved performance, with a 7.7% increase in average daily gain (ADG), a 13% reduction in FCR, and a 17% increase in survival post-challenge. Enhanced immunocompetence was supported by elevated total hemocyte counts, indicative of a strengthened disease control. Field results further confirmed the additive’s effectiveness: while survival in control ponds ranged from 35 to 55%, farms with additive supplementation achieved delayed disease onset and survival rates of 66-99% under the preventive plus corrective program. FCR dropped by 25-33%, and crop yields increased on average threefold. Taken together, the phytobiotic additive limits early parasite establishment and significantly improves survival and productivity when a continuous preventive base is supplemented with short-term corrective dosing during outbreak periods