MBV is an enteric virus that infects intestinal
epithelium and hepatopancreas, and virions are shed
along with occlusion bodies in the feces of infected
shrimp (Lightner et al., 1983). As such, DNA extraction
from feces is beneficial as a non-lethal sample
source for testing valuable broodstock. Wild P. monodon
commonly used as broodstock in many Asian
countries, unfortunately, often carry MBV and therefore
pose a high risk to Asian shrimp farms. The PCR
method demonstrated in this study can be used with
feces from infected animals as the DNA template.
This sample source does not require sacrificing of
precious broodstock to run the test. Therefore, a quarantine
program accompanied by a sensitive and specific,
non-lethal PCR test should prove useful in the
development of MBV-free broodstock.