Histopathological changes of Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei infection in the Penaeus vannamei Shrimp

Abstract

Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) is a type of parasite that can be categorized as a microsporidia, which is a diverse group of obligate intracellular eukaryotic parasites. EHP infection is often associated with white feces syndrome. The most of the aquaculture shrimp contribution has come from Penaeus vannamei which accounts 80% of the whole shrimp production. The aim of this research is to analyze and determine the structures and intensity of these organisms through microscopic observation of the Penaeus vannamei shrimp that were confirmed to be infected by Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei through polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This research is done in the form of histopathological observations through diagrams, and the understanding of the pathogenesis using Hematoxylin Eosin (HE), Alcian Blue-Periodic Acid Schiff (AB-PAS) and Masson’s Trichrome staining. Histopathological representation is done through the use of a light microscope. Results of this study indicates that, the testing of three types of dyes which are the Hematoxylin Eosin (HE) stain, Alcian-Blue Periodic Acid Schiff (AB-PAS) and the Masson’s Trichrome stain show that the usage of AB-PAS stain is the best out of the three stains. Further tests show that granulocytes are the type of hemocytes most dominant in response to EHP infection with the highest susceptibility in shrimp 1 out of three shrimp. Intestinal microscopic observation also showed that there was no apparent occurrence of white feces syndrome (WFS). In conclusion, from this research it can be found microscopically an abnormality which is the presence of one of the life cycles of the parasite EHP in the hapatopancreas tubules of the shrimp.