In vitro and in vivo inhibition of Vibrio parahemolyticus in Whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) using BiOWiSH™ DFM technology

Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS), also known as Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND), is an economically impactful emerging disease of shrimp caused by a pathogenic strain of Vibrio parahemolyticus. Using the Whiteleg shrimp (L. vannamei) as a model organism, we examined the impact of BiOWiSH™ DFM technology upon shrimp mortality when challenged with pathogenic V. parahemolyticus. A significant increase in survival was observed among shrimp fed BiOWiSH™ DFM feed (37.1% - 49.4% survival) compared to control groups (5.0% survival). Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis detected a significant shift (p = 0.026) in gut microbiome composition between BiOWiSH™ and control groups. To investigate the DFM technology’s potential mode of action, we developed a screening protocol for BiOWiSH™ bacterial isolates using a modified soft agar overlay. Clearing zones in lawns of V. parahemolyticus and other Vibrio species were observed around colonies of BiOWiSH™ bacterial isolates, indicating inhibition of the organism of interest. Taken together, these results suggest that BiOWiSH™ DFM technology could provide a means to mitigate economic losses due to the spread of AHPND.