Passive immunization of crayfish (Procambius clarkiaii) with chicken egg yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV).

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is a major cause of mortality in shrimp lacking a true adaptive immune response. In this study, high activity egg yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) against WSSV for passive immunization of crustaceans was already prepared as crude and purified product, while an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test was used for quality control of IgY activity. The effectiveness of IgY of intramuscular injection, oral administration, and immersion was investigated in crayfish (Procambius clarkiaii) against WSSV. The result showed that the groups treated with IgY from inactivated WSSV and DNA vaccine were, respectively, 20% and 80% mortality, which were significant difference in survival rates (P < 0.05) from the positive control groups. The groups in diet added 10% egg yolk powder and 1% IgY power showed 53.3% and 67.7% mortality, respectively, and the immersion showed 46.7% mortality, which have significantly different compared to the positive groups (P < 0.05). These results indicated passive immunization of specific IgY antibodies through intramuscular injection, oral administration, and immersion have effective to protect crayfish against WSSV. It is noteworthy that IgY as feed additive and immersion solution is useful and feasible methods in practical work. Thus, our results suggest that the passive immunization of crayfish with IgY against WSSV will have potential development to prevent and control WSSV in practical culture.