The bacterium is a member of the subclass ��-Proteobacteria and has a severe pathogenic activity in the shrimp; for instance, recovery has not yet been observed in any shrimp after being infected with NHPB, and eventually the 100% have Istodax died [3, 4].The bacterium is known to have severe physiological implications in crustaceans and have jeopardized the continuity of shrimp aquaculture in different countries [5]. Considering the above information and the fact that the white shrimp is one of the world’s most widely cultured alien crustaceans [6], the introduction of shrimp pathogens into different environments is matter of concern.

To date, the presence of NHPB has been documented in tropical and subtropical ecosystems and a diversity of crustaceans can be hosts for the bacterium [1, 2, 5] such evidence suggests that NHPB could be highly tolerant to environmental challenges such as a wide range of temperature and, thus, thrive and be a threat in different environments. For instance, we have observed mortalities in American lobsters (Homarus americanus) that were accidentally fed NHPB-infected shrimp (unpublished data). However, the American lobster is a temperate-cold water crustacean and inhabits the Northeastern coast of the United States [7]. The aim of this experiment was to determine if the lobster could be experimentally infected with NHPB extracted from Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei).2. Material and MethodsHealthy American lobsters H. americanus with an average weight of 1kg were individually placed into a 40L tanks containing filtered seawater.

The experimental conditions were as follows: temperature 23��C, salinity 35��, constant aeration, and daily water exchange of 80%. Lobsters were fed once a day with 5g of fresh squid.2.1. Inoculum PreparationInfected shrimps (Litopenaeus vannamei) were experimentally inoculated with pure NHPB bacteria following the protocol described by Gracia-Valenzuela et al. [8]. After 3-4 weeks after inoculation, NHPBs were detected in hepatopancreas; thereafter, shrimps were sacrificed and dissected to extract the infested hepatopancreas.Compositions of NHPB inoculums were based on hepatopancreas from infected shrimp. Hepatopancreas were extracted from shrimp and homogenized with glycerol (1:1v/v) [9]. Before being supplied to lobsters, homogenates were confirmed positive to NHPB by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests in accordance with Nunan et al.

[10]. A different homogenate was prepared using hepatopancreas NHPB-free and was considered as control. 2.2. Forced-Feeding Infection of LobstersThe treatment lobsters were infected with 1mL of NHPB inoculum by forced feeding [11], and the inoculums was deposited into the oral cavity; the forced feeding was done by using an insulin syringe at 1st, 3rd, and 5th days from the Batimastat beginning of the trial.