Synopsis of Infectious Diseases and Parasites of Commercially Exploited Shellfish

Gut and Nerve Syndrome (GNS) of Penaeid Shrimp

Category | Common Name | Scientific Name | Distribution | Host Species
Impact on Host | Diagnostic Technique | Methods of Control | References | Citation

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Category

Category 3 (Host Not in Canada)

Common, generally accepted names of the organism or disease agent

Gut and nerve syndrome (GNS).

Scientific name or taxonomic affiliation

Unknown but suspect a virus is involved.

Geographic distribution

Penaeus japonicus cultured in ponds, tanks and raceways in Hawaii, USA and France; in closed sea­water systems in Arizona, USA, and in wild shrimp from Thailand.

Host species

Penaeus japonicus, Penaeus sp.

Impact on the host

Hypertrophy of the mid gut basement membrane, leading to starvation, reduced preening, lethargy and other behavioural changes, surface fouling, bacterial and fungal infection, high cumulative mortality. Affected P. japonicus cultured in France and in Hawaii were also infected with a Reo-like virus (REO).

Diagnostic techniques

Gross Observations: See above. Heavy fouling of surface and gills by various organisms including bacteria, algae, protozoa, and fungi such as Fusarium.

Histology: Midgut basement membrane hypertrophy and hyperplasia of ventral nerve cord epineurium.

Methods of control

No known methods of prevention or control.

References

Lightner, D.V., R.M. Redman, T.A. Bell and J.A. Brock. 1984. A idiopathic proliferative disease syndrome of the midgut and central nerve in Kuruma prawn, Penaeus japonicus Bate, cultured in Hawaii. Journal of Fish Diseases 7: 183­191.

Lightner, D.V. 1988. Gut and nerve syndrome (GNS) of Penaeus japonicus. In: C.J. Sindermann and D.V. Lightner, (eds.). Disease Diagnosis and Control in North American Marine Aquaculture. Developments in Aquaculture and Fisheries Science 17. Elsevier, Amsterdam, p. 104-107.

Lightner, D.V. 1988. Reo-like virus (Reo) disease of penaeid shrimp. In: C.J. Sindermann and D.V. Lightner (eds.). Disease Diagnosis and Control in North American Marine Aquaculture. Developments in Aquaculture and Fisheries Science 17. Elsevier, Amsterdam, p. 33-37.

 

Citation Information

Bower, S.M. (1996): Synopsis of Infectious Diseases and Parasites of Commercially Exploited Shellfish: Gut and Nerve Syndrome (GNS) of Penaeid Shrimp.

URL: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/species-especes/shellfish-coquillages/diseases-maladies/pages/gnssp-eng.htm

Date last revised: September 1996
Comments to Susan Bower