Fig. 2

Hypothetical schematic representation of the probable host–pathogen–environment relationship. Macrobrachium rosenbergii undergoes a number of moulting stages through the larvae to post-larvae stage. It is during the intervening phase of moulting that the prawn attains a thin exoskeleton. The presence of magnesium in the environment at this phase might influence favourable conditions for V. parahaemolyticus GbpA protein (GbpA) to bind/interact with the epithelial cells, especially the sensitive chitinaceous surface of M. rosenbergii