“Candidatus Hepatobacter penaei,” an Intracellular Pathogenic Enteric Bacterium in the Hepatopancreas of the Marine Shrimp Penaeus vannamei (Crustacea: Decapoda)

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe bacteria that cause necrotizing hepatopancreatitis inPenaeus vannameiadversely affect penaeid shrimp cultured in the western hemisphere. 16S rRNA and gyrase B gene analyses determined the taxonomic position of these bacteria. The name “CandidatusHepatobacter penaei” is proposed for these pathogenic bacteria, which are members of theRickettsialesorder.