Fish Brain Peptide PACAP-38 Boosts Shrimp Immunity Against Bacterial Infection | Research

The takeaway

A PACAP-38 analog from catfish enhances immune defenses and improves survival against Vibrio infection in Pacific white shrimp.

Cross-species immune boost
Catfish peptide enhanced shrimp immunity against bacterial infection

What the researchers found

A Clarias gariepinus PACAP-38 analog enhanced immune homeostasis and defense against V. parahaemolyticus in L. vannamei shrimp, demonstrating cross-species antimicrobial peptide applications.

Why it matters

Shrimp aquaculture loses billions annually to Vibrio infections. Natural peptide-based immune boosters could replace antibiotics and reduce resistance development.

How the study worked

In vivo study testing PACAP-38 analog administration in Pacific white shrimp, measuring immune parameters and survival following Vibrio parahaemolyticus challenge.

What this study cannot tell us

Aquaculture study — applicability to commercial-scale farming not assessed. Long-term effects and optimal dosing regimens need further study.

How to read the evidence

In vivo aquaculture study — demonstrates proof of concept for cross-species peptide immune enhancement.

When this study was published

Published in 2026; addresses the urgent need for antibiotic alternatives in aquaculture.

The bigger picture

Cross-species peptide applications in aquaculture demonstrate the versatility of antimicrobial peptides and their potential to replace antibiotics across the food production industry.

Questions still open

Can PACAP-38 be mass-produced cost-effectively for commercial aquaculture use?
Does PACAP-38 protect against other common shrimp pathogens beyond Vibrio?

Common questions

What is PACAP-38?

PACAP-38 (pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide) is a natural neuropeptide found in many animals. It has antimicrobial and immune-boosting properties that make it useful as an antibiotic alternative in aquaculture.

Why is antibiotic resistance a problem in shrimp farming?

Overuse of antibiotics in aquaculture creates resistant bacteria that can spread to humans through the food chain and environment, making infections harder to treat worldwide.

Read the original research

An analog of Clarias gariepinus Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide (PACAP-38) contributes to immune homeostasis and defences against Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Litopenaeus vannamei.

Fish & shellfish immunology, 169, 111047

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Betancourt, Jesús Luis; Ihedimbu, Ijeoma; Rodríguez-Ramos, Tania; Coronado-Molina, Daniel Eduardo; Carpio, Yamila; Estrada, Mario Pablo; Hernández-López, Jorge; Ramos, Laida; Dixon, Brian. (2026). An analog of Clarias gariepinus Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide (PACAP-38) contributes to immune homeostasis and defences against Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Litopenaeus vannamei.. Fish & shellfish immunology, 169, 111047. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2025.111047