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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Aquatic Animal Health Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #163092
Title: EFFICACY OF A MODIFIED LIVE EDWARDSIELLA ICTALURI VACCINE IN CHANNEL CATFISH AS YOUNG AS SEVEN DAYS POST HATCH.

Author
item Shoemaker, Craig
item Klesius, Phillip
item Evans, Joyce
item BRICKER, J - INTERVET INC.

Submitted to: International Veterinary Vaccines and Diagnostics Conference
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2000
Publication Date: 7/23/2000
Citation: SHOEMAKER, C.A., KLESIUS, P.H., EVANS, J.J., BRICKER, J.M. EFFICACY OF A MODIFIED LIVE EDWARDSIELLA ICTALURI VACCINE IN CHANNEL CATFISH AS YOUNG AS SEVEN DAYS POST HATCH. 2nd INTERNATIONAL VETERINARY VACCINES AND DIAGNOSTICS CONFERENCE. POSTER. 2000.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC), caused by Edwarsiella ictaluri, is responsible for more than US $60 million annually in losses to the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) industry in the United States. An effective vaccine which can be delivered to channel catfish prior to release into production ponds (about 10 days post hatch) is desirable. Attempts to vaccinate young channel catfish with killed vaccines have failed. The objective of this study was to determine of the modified live E. ictaluri vaccine would be efficacious in young channel catfish. Channel catfish were vaccinated by immersion at 12, 14, 16, and 31 days post vaccination, the groups of vaccinates and non-vaccinates were challenged with virulent Edwardsiella ictaluri and monitored for mortality for at least 14 days following challenge. Results showed the vaccine to be efficacious in channel catfish as young as 7 days post hatch with relative percent survival ranging from 58.4 to 77.5. Immersion exposure for either 2 or 10 minutes in the 1997 trials did not affect vaccine efficacy. We showed the modified live E. ictaluri vaccine was safe, easily administered and stimulated protective cell mediated immunity in catfish as young as 7 days post hatch.