Transmission per os du white spot syndrome virus : facteur limitant l'extension de la maladie chez les crustacés marins

Penaeid family shrimp constitute the first aquaculture product in the world in terms of commercial value. They are produced in third world countries of the sub-equatorial belt. Among the causes limiting their production, one is the presence of the WSSV (White Spot Syndrome Virus), a pathogenic agent that produces massive mortality. Our aim was to investigate the first stages of the viral infection, in order to be used as target of prophylactic actions. A fish cell line (SSN-1) was used as model to tentatively develop in vitro studies. Only defective particles were produced confirming the high specificity to crustacea of the infection with crustacean virus. Electron microscopy showed structural similarities between the WSSV and B, B2 and Baculo-B viruses of crabs. This suggests B2 may belong also to the family Nimaviridae, genus Whispovirus. This comparison with B2 virus gives the possibility to understand the role played by the tail-like extension of these viruses in the infectious process by attachment to the plasmic membrane at the beginning of the infection in its specific host.