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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Aquatic Animal Health Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #162703
Title: DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF MODIFIED LIVE VACCINE IN CATFISH

Author
item Klesius, Phillip
item Shoemaker, Craig
item Evans, Joyce

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/14/2002
Publication Date: 4/23/2002
Citation: KLESIUS, P.H., SHOEMAKER, C.A., EVANS, J.J. DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF MODIFIED LIVE VACCINE IN CATFISH. FISH VACCINATION WORKSHOP IV / CELL BIOLOGY & IMMUNOLOGY. 2002.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Enteric septicemia of acatrfish (ESC), caused by Edwarsiella ictaluri, is responsible for over $60 million in annual losses to the catfish industry in the United States. In previous studies, we demonstrated that cell mediated immunity (CMI) and killing of E. ictaluri by macrophages was responsible for protective immunity. Passive transfer of immune antibodies failed to protect catfish against ESC. The objective of this study was to develop a modified live E. ictaluri vaccine that would provide protective CMI. We used rifampicin to attenuate an E. ictaluri isolate. The modified live E. ictaluri did not cause ESC in susceptible catfish. However, the E. ictaluri was able to enter and persist in the catfish resulting in acquired CMI to ESC. Safety of the E. ictaluri was shown at 2 X 107 colony forming units / mL of bacteria following immersion exposure to the vaccine strain for 60 minutes. No mortality or reversion to virulence occurred following five serial in vivo passages. Efficacy of the modified live E. ictaluri vaccine was demonstrated in 14 day to 9 months old channel catfish. This protective immunity was demonstrated at 21 days post vaccination following 2 to 10 minute immersion exposures in water containing the vaccine. This vaccine is licensed for use in 9 days old channel catfish fry and is being produced by Intervet, Inc. under the label AQUAVAC-ESC'.