The giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, is an important cultured
species in Taiwan. Recently, Lo et al. 1996b. discovered it exhibits the white spot
syndrome WSS.. Although serious mortality associated with WSBV has not been
reported, understanding the pathological effect of WSBV in freshwater prawns may help
reduce the incidence of WSS. This study therefore determines whether WSBV is the
causative agent of WSS in giant freshwater prawn, M. rosenbergii, by diagnostic PCR
and by challenge experiments.