Viruses, such as white spot syndrome virus, and bacteria, such as Vibrio species, wreak havoc in shrimp aquaculture [C. M. Escobedo-Bonilla et al., J. Fish. Dis. 31, 1–18 (2008)]. As the main portal of entry for shrimp-related pathogens remain unclear, infectious diseases are difficult to prevent and control. Because the cuticle is a strong pathogen barrier, regions lacking cuticular lining, such as the shrimp’s excretory organ, “the antennal gland,” are major candidate entry portals [M. Corteel et al., Vet. Microbiol. 137, 209–216 (2009)]. The antennal gland, up until now morphologically underexplored, is studied using several imaging techniques. Using histology-based three-dimensional technology, we demonstrate that the antennal gland resembles a kidney, connected to a urinary bladder with a nephropore (exit opening) and a complex of diverticula, spread throughout the cephalothorax. Micromagnetic resonance imaging of live shrimp not only confirms the histology-based model, but also indicates that the filling of the diverticula is linked to the molting cycle and possibly involved therein. Based on function and complexity, we propose to rename the antennal gland as the “nephrocomplex.” By an intrabladder inoculation, we showed high susceptibility of this nephrocomplex to both white spot syndrome virus and Vibrio infection compared to peroral inoculation. An induced drop in salinity allowed the virus to enter the nephrocomplex in a natural way and caused a general infection followed by death; fluorescent beads were used to demonstrate that particles may indeed enter through the nephropore. These findings pave the way for oriented disease control in shrimp.

病毒，例如白斑综合症病毒，以及细菌，例如弧菌，对虾养殖造成了严重破坏[CM Escobedo-Bonilla等人，J。Fish。Dis。31，1-18（2008）]。由于虾相关病原体的主要进入门户仍不清楚，因此传染病难以预防和控制。由于角质层是很强的病原体屏障，因此缺少角质层内衬的区域（例如虾的排泄器官，“触角腺”）是主要的候选进入门户。Corteel等，兽医。微生物。137，209–216（2009）]。使用几种成像技术研究了迄今为止尚未进行形态学探索的触角腺。使用基于组织学的三维技术，我们证明触角腺类似于肾脏，连接到具有肾小孔（出口开口）和憩室的复合体的膀胱，遍布整个头胸。活虾的微磁共振成像不仅证实了基于组织学的模型，而且还表明憩室的填充与蜕皮周期有关，并可能参与其中。根据功能和复杂性，我们建议将触角腺重命名为“肾复合体”。通过膀胱内接种，我们显示出这种肾复合物对白斑综合症病毒和弧菌都有很高的敏感性感染与经口接种相比。盐度的诱导下降使病毒以自然方式进入肾复合体并引起一般感染，然后死亡。荧光珠用于证明颗粒确实可以通过肾孔进入。这些发现为虾的定向疾病控制铺平了道路。