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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Aquatic Animal Health Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #73166
Title: PROTECTIVE IMMUNITY AGAINST ENTERIC SEPTICEMIA OF CHANNEL CATFISH FOLLOWINGCONTROLLED EXPOSURE TO LIVE EDWARDSIELLA ICTALURI.

Author
item Shoemaker, Craig
item Klesius, Phillip

Submitted to: Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/21/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Acquired immunity against enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC), caused by Edwardsiella ictaluri, was demonstrated to be mediated by white blood cells called macrophages in the presence of antibody to E. ictaluri at a dose that did not cause ESC stimulated strong acquired immunity. However, immunization with killed E. ictaluri vaccines failed to protect fish against ESC and did not stimulate macrophage killing of E. ictaluri. Only controlled-live E. ictaluri immunization stimulated both macrophage killing and antibodies against E. ictaluri.

Technical Abstract: Protective immunity against enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC) following immunization with Edwardsiella ictaluri bacterins and controlled live exposure to E. ictaluri was investigated. Mean cumulative percent survival was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in controlled live vaccinates (100.0%) than in immersion and oral bacterin vaccinates (68.3 and 50.0%, respectively). In two other experiments using bacterin immersion, survival patterns were similar between vaccinates (37.1 and 47.8%) and non-vaccinates (57.8 and 56.7%). The bactericidal activity against E. ictaluri by peritoneal macrophages from controlled live vaccinates (85.9%) was significantly greater (P_< 0.05) than bactericidal activity of macrophages from immersion bacterin vaccinates (71.4%) or non-vaccinates (68.1%). No significant (P > 0.05) difference was found in the bactericidal activity of macrophages from oral bacterin vaccinates and macrophages from controlled live vaccinates. The E. ictaluri specific antibody response of controlled live (0.08 OD) and immersion bacterin vaccinates (0.11 OD) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of oral bacterin vaccinates and non-vaccinates (0.01 OD) 15 days post vaccination. A significantly higher antibody response was seen in controlled live vaccinates (0.17 OD), when compared to other vaccinates or non-vaccinates 33 days after vaccination. All treatment groups produced antibodies specific to E. ictaluri exoantigen after challenge with E. ictaluri. Either immersion or oral bacterins did not protect vaccinates against ESC. Controlled live E. ictaluri immunization of channel catfish resulted in production of specific antibodies, increased macrophage bactericidal activity and protection against ESC.