Hepatopancreatic Microsporidiasis disease caused by Enterocytozoon hepatopenei (EHP) has attacked several world shrimp producing countries such as Thailand, China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia. The presence of EHP can cause shrimp to experience growth disorders until death. If not treated properly, this disease can cause considerable economic loss for farmers. Until now the right treatment has not been found, the c ontrol can be done are aplication of biosecurity and giving vitamins and maintaining stable water quality.
Albendazole was chosen as a trial material because in the fisheries sector and also in human health, this drug has been used for the treatment of microsporidia. This trial was conducted to determine its effect on shrimp infected with EHP. The trial of giving Albendazole with a dose 2 gr/kg of feed given to vannamei shrimp that was positively infected with EHP was carried out for 80 days of rearing and 1 pond as a control without Albendazole administration. Observations were made on the parameters of growth weight, length, uniformity, behavior and response of shrimp. In addition, PCR test and water quality tests were also carried out.
Albendazole administration had a significant effect on shrimp. Shrimp weight and length were better than control shrimp. The PCR results against EHP also showed a decrease in the attack rate seen in the PCR band, where at the beginning of stocking (PL 10) 3 DNA bands were read and at the end of the rearing period only one DNA band was visible. From the trials conducted, Albendazole can be used to suppress the development of EHP, but further, more comprehensive studies on albendazole are needed to treat EHP.