White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is the most
serious viral pathogen of cultured shrimp. It is a highly virulent
virus that can spread quickly and can cause up to 100 %
mortality in 3–10 days. WSSV is a large enveloped double
stranded DNA virus belonging to genus Whispovirus of the
virus family Nimaviridae. It has a wide host range among
crustaceans and mainly affects commercially cultivated
marine shrimp species. The virus infects all age groups
causing large scale mortalities and the foci of infection are
tissues of ectodermal and mesodermal origin, such as gills,
lymphoid organ and cuticular epithelium. The whole genome
sequencing of WSSV from China, Thailand and Taiwan
have revealed minor genetic differences among different
strains. There are varying reports regarding the factors
responsible for WSSV virulence which include the differences
in variable number of tandem repeats, the genome size
and presence or absence of different proteins. Aim of this
review is to give current information on the status, host
range, pathogenesis and diagnosis of WSSV infection.