Bamboo back disease in tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon

Abstract

This report describes bamboo back disease affecting Penaeus monodon in the Philippines. Affected and normal shrimps were processed for bacterial isolation and histopathology. Morphological changes in the external anatomy were also noted. The cuticle of the abdominal segments of shrimp with bamboo back disease do not overlap properly which gives them a bamboo-like appearance. The appendages are shorter compared with normal shrimps. No bacteria were recovered from the hepatopancreas, lymphoid organ, and hemolymph thus ruling out bacterial infection. Histopathology shows normal hepatopancreas, but the muscle fibers of the abdominal segments are fragmented and necrotic.