Challenges and strategies for detecting the AHPND pathogen in shrimp hatcheries

Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND) is a severe bacterial infection that threatens shrimp aquaculture, causing significant economic losses globally. The disease is attributed to specific strains of Vibrio spp. carrying the pVA۱ plasmid, which encodes PirAB toxins responsible for hepatopancreatic necrosis in shrimp. Early detection of AHPND is crucial for effective disease management, yet several challenges hinder accurate and timely diagnosis. This article examines key diagnostic challenges, including genetic variability in AHPND-causing bacteria, inconsistencies in toxin production, environmental influences, and limitations of current molecular detection methods. Additionally, alternative diagnostic approaches such as LAMP, CRISPR/Cas۱۲a assays, and immunoassays are discussed for their potential to improve detection accuracy. Future research should focus on developing more robust and rapid diagnostic tools to overcome the limitations of current methods. Enhanced detection strategies, combined with biosecurity and preventive measures, will be essential in mitigating the impact of AHPND on global shrimp farming.

کلیدواژه ها:

AHPND ، Vibrio ، PirAB ، Diagnosis ، Aquaculture.