Identification and pathogenicity of Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolates and immune responses of Penaeus (Litopenaeus) vannamei (Boone)

Five different Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains ( SH 8, SH 108, SH 58, AH 5 and GD 10) isolated from the hepatopancreas of moribund shrimp in farms of mainland China were identified and capable of inducing massive mortality of Penaeus ( Litopenaeus ) vannamei . The immersion challenge results with five isolates indicated variance of virulence, while only GD 10 caused massive sloughing of tubule epithelial cells which was recognized as the most significant symptom of AHPND . Differences in immune responses were detected of P. vannamei during 48 h post‐infection (p.i.) by injection or immersion challenge with V. parahaemolyticus ( SH 8, SH 108 and GD 10) isolates. When injected SH 8 and SH 108 isolates, the expression of lysozyme ( LSZ ) showing statistically significant upregulation at 16 and 48 h p.i. and that of Toll‐like receptors ( TLR ) showed statistically significant upregulation at 48 h p.i. When immersion challenge with the GD 10 isolate, TLR were upregulated after 8 h p.i. challenge with 10 4 cfu mL −1 ; however, LSZ was downregulated when challenged with 10 3 cfu mL −1 . The results suggested that LSZ and TLR serve as crucial molecular markers of innate immunity in shrimp against V. parahaemolyticus infection. LSZ is a vital marker for acute bacterial infection, while TLR serves as a crucial marker for chronic infection.