Identification of Penaeus monodon Baculovirus (MBV)in cultured Penaeus semisulcatus in Islamic Republic of Iran

Shrimp aquaculture has a short history in I.R Iran. Farmed shrimp production grew slowly from 1992 until 2000 when a number of large farms started to produce. In 2000, the total production was about 4,500 MT and it was estimated that more than 7,000 MT would be produce by the year 2001. From August 1997 to March 1998, two thousand samples of cultured Penaeus semisulcatus postlarvae and subadults were collected from 5 hatcheries and 20 growout farms, distributed in 3 provinces along the coasts of the Persian Gulf and the Oman Sea. Based on, gross signs, histopathology, LM and TEM, Penaeus monodon baculovirus (MBV) from samples is recorded. The MBV is a rod-shaped baculovirus, DsDNA virus with the virion diameter of 300±75 nm. The target organ of virus is hepatopancreas and midgut epithelium.