Potential application of bacteriophage pVp-1: Agent combating Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains associated with acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) in shrimp

Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND, also known as early mortality syndrome, EMS) caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus has resulted in severe marine shrimp mortality and significant economic losses in related aquaculture throughout Southeast Asia and Central America. As no viable remedy has yet been reported, the main objective of this study was to develop an effective bacteriophage (phage)-based method of controlling AHPND/EMS. To determine the bacteriolytic activity of phage pVp-1 against V. parahaemolyticus strains causing AHPND/EMS, its infectivity was tested on 22 strains isolated from geographically diverse regions (5 of the Asian type and 17 of the Mexican type). This phage was able to infect 90.9% (20 strains among 22 strains) of the AHPND/EMS-related V. parahaemolyticus strains used in this study, and demonstrated substantial bacteriolytic activity against three strains known to be highly pathogenic. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a virulent phage infecting V. parahaemolyticus strains responsible for AHPND/EMS, and indicates the potential utility of pVp-1 in phage therapy.