Crustacean immune responses and their implications for disease control

Abstract This chapter reviews recent advances in our knowledge of crustacean immunity. Emphasis is given to shrimp due to their importance in aqnacnltnre and trade and to freshwater crayfish since they serve as model organisms for research in crustacean immunology. Crustaceans lack antibodies, interferon and some other components from the mammalian immune arsenal but can still monnt an efficient defence against many potential pathogens. Crustacean innate immunity relies on a combination of efficient hemocyte and humoral reactions carried out by plasma proteins. 

Key words shrimp, crayfish, hematopoiesis, prophenoloxidase activation, clotting protein, transglutaminase, pattern recognition protein, peroxinectin. 

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Crustacean immune responses and their implications for disease control... 

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