Detection of shrimp viral pathogens with a simple dot-blot enzyme immunoassay protocol

Abstract

Dot-blot nitrocellulose enzyme immunoassays (DB-NC-EIA) were developed for the detection of two shrimp viral pathogens, white-spot virus (WSV), and yellow-head virus (YHV). The assays utilized HRP-conjugated virus-specific polyclonal antibodies to detect virus antigen present in gill homogenates of infected shrimp spotted onto nitrocellulose membrane. The DB-NC-EIA was highly specific and sensitive enough to detect the presence of viral proteins before the appearance of overt symptoms. The assays are one of the simplest and most rapid detection methods available for WSV and YHV.