Identification of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in pacific white shrimps (Litopenaeus vannamei) from ponds postexposure to immunogenic membrane proteins (Zoothamnium penaei)

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is a pathogen that causes white spot disease; it is a major cause of decreased Pacific White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) production in Indonesia. The aim of this study was to identify the presence of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in the Pacific White Shrimps cultivated in ponds as well as the effect of exposure treatment to the immunogenic membrane protein of Zoothamnium penaei on the presence of the virus. The initial identification of WSSV in the field was done using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method. Further PCR identification results indicated that the shrimp postexposed to the 3 ppm and 5 ppm immunogenic membrane protein from Zoothamnium penaei for 7 days resulted in the virus being undetected (negative). These results indicate that the presence of WSSV can be triggered by environmental factors and that the shrimp's immune system decreases during maintenance in aquaculture ponds. The exposure to the immonugenic membrane protein of Zoothamnium penaei has positive results in relation to preventing WSSV infection, which means that it can be developed as an immunostimulant material in Pacific White Shrimp farming.