Resumen de Interaction of Silver Nanoparticles with White spot Syndrome Virus and Their Histopathological Effects on Penaeus vannamei After Intramuscular Application

Selene M. Abad Rosales, Rodolfo Lozano Olvera, Bitia Berenice Vallin Enríquez, María C. Chávez Sánchez, Leobardo Montoya Rodriguez, Humberto Herman Lara, Miguel Ángel Franco Nava, Victor Joaquin Álvarez López, Martín G. Frías Espericueta

• The effectiveness of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in aquaculture has been investigated recently; however, understanding AgNPs cytotoxicity in aquatic organisms is still limited. This study examines the histopathological effects of the interaction AgNPs with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) virions on the white shrimp Penaeus vannamei after intramuscular application. Two tests were carried out: in the first test, nine solutions were prepared: two individual AgNPs concentrations, two individual viral loads (vcWS), and four treatments derived from an interaction of AgNPs and vcWS, and a distilled water control, the toxicity and histopathological effects were also evaluated. For the second test, four solutions were prepared: AgNPs concentration, two AgNPs concentrations with a viral load, and distilled water control, to evaluate the progression of WSSV infection. In test 1, the individual and combined AgNPs treatments gave a dose-dependent negative effect on shrimp survival in the first 36 h post-injection (hpi). At 96 hpi no significant differences (p > 0.05) were found in the higher AgNPs concentrations vs. their interaction with vcWS and vcWS individual concentrations. In test 2, a cytotoxic effect associated with AgNPs was observed after 24 hpi in all treatments. WSSV severity was low and identified at 72 and 96 hpi in all interaction treatments. The results show that AgNPs affect vcWS when in direct contact, while, AgNPs + WS inoculum cause severe damage to shrimp tissue and WSSV infection development is only temporarily delayed.