Introduction:

The study of the immune system is gaining more relevance in aquaculture resulting from increases in intensive shrimp culture, and the ensuing step up of viral and bacterial diseases.

Aim.

To provide updated information of the advances associated with the understanding the immune system of shrimps, particularly penaeid shrimp.

Development:

The innate immune system of shrimps contains passive and active elements, physical barriers, and humoral-cellular branches, respectively. In recent years, the term trained immunity was added as another key element of immune response against pathogens. Emphasis is made on the acceptance of classifications of hemocytes based on molecular parameters, the advancement in understanding antiviral response through interference RNA, the creation of databases of new antimicrobial peptides, and the evaluation of enzymatic activities as modulators of the immune response.

Conclusions:

Understanding the mechanisms that mediate the innate and trained immunity, such as shrimp cytokines, permit the implementation of new strategies for disease control in shrimp culture.