Cost-effective technology to detect shrimp disease

MANILA, Philippines – The University of Santo Tomas (UST) developed a technology to detect shrimp diseases, particularly white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and Vibrio spp. 

The technology uses loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), a cost-effective alternative to the more expensive and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and standard microbiological techniques. 

WSSV is a viral disease in the shrimp industry that has become widespread in Asia after it was observed in Taiwan in the early 1990s. 

On the other hand, vibriosis caused by Vibrio spp. is the main bacterial disease of shrimps. 

Shrimp disease outbreaks in the Philippines remain uncontrollable as most shrimp farmers have no access to disease diagnostics. 

Compared with conventional PCR, LAMP-based detection of shrimp pathogens is 10 times highly sensitive. By using LAMP, bacterial identification of Vibrio spp. takes less time than the traditional microbiological method. 

In LAMP-based detection, a heat block apparatus replaces the expensive thermal cycler, which further lessens the equipment cost. 

LAMP was able to detect WSSV from L. vannamei collected from Leyte, Batangas, Iloilo, and Bulacan, while samples from Laoag City and Ilocos Sur yielded negative results. Shrimp samples from Bolinao, Pangasinan were tested positive for Vibrio spp.  

To make the technology more practical for onsite application, a constructed heat block apparatus can be used. Moreover, to prevent cross contamination on LAMP products, a technique to view the products in a close-tube setup is proposed. 

The technology was funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) under the Philippine Shrimp Pathogenomics program.

The LAMP, along with the council’s leading R&D initiatives in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources sectors, will be showcased during the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) on July 25-29 at the council’s complex.