Development of a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Assay for the Detection of Philippine Isolates of the Penaeus monodon-type Baculovirus (MBV)

Penaeus monodon-type baculovirus (MBV) is a DNA virus that infects postlarvae and early juveniles of shrimp, Penaeus monodon. Several variants of this virus occur through nucleotide analysis of its genomic DNA. In the present study, a one-step PCR method was developed for the detection of the Philippine isolates of MBV by designing PCR primers on the least conserved region of the Philippine MBV. Using genomic DNA of MBV-infected shrimp postlarvae, the PCR assay amplified a 193-bp PCR product. Its sensitivity was comparable to the published PCR assays. The strain-specific primers did not cross-react with other DNA viruses including White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV), Infectious Hypodermal and Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHHNV) and hepatopancreatic parvovirus (HPV). This PCR assay could be used for regular monitoring and surveillance of MBV in shrimp as well as tracing the movement of the Philippine MBV in shrimp farms in different geographic regions.