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Title: VACCINES TO PREVENT Streptococcus iniae AND S. agalactiae DISEASE IN NILE TILAPIA Oreochromis niloticus

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

Submitted to: International Symposium on Talipia in Aquaculture
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/13/2006
Publication Date: 9/8/2006
Citation: Klesius, P.H., Evans, J.J., Shoemaker, C.A., Pasnik, D.J. 2006. Vaccines to prevent Streptococcus iniae and S. agalactiae disease in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. Proceedings 7th International Symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture (ISTA 7). September 6-8, 2006. Veracruz, Mexico. pg. 15-24.

Interpretive Summary: Vaccination is among the most successful veterinary practices to prevent deaths and to provide animal production biosecurity safeguards. Streptococcus iniae and S. agalactiae have been recognized as emerging pathogens that are highly virulent for many species of cultured fish. The economic impact of S. iniae and S. agalactiae infection on aquaculture industry is estimated in millions of dollars annually, worldwide. Antibiotic treatments are only partially successful in the control of these virulent pathogens. The presentation will focus on the development of vaccines against S. iniae and S. agalactiae and the strategies and benefits of vaccination in the prevention of streptococcisis. Results will be presented that demonstrated the efficacy of these vaccines after bath immersion of 0.1 to 15 g tilapia. An immunization scheme that includes the use of the vaccine in the nursery and later phases of fish production is presented and discussed.

Technical Abstract: Minimizing the effects of disease is crucial to prevent mortality, morbidity, and to promote optimal growth and feed conversion in sustained culture of warm-water fish in fresh, estuarine and marine waters. The control of diseases has been dependent on the use of therapeutics since the inception of aquaculture. The resolute demands of consumers, as well as environmental and governmental groups for wholesome fish and for an environment free of potentially harmful drugs in aquaculture production have increased. In addition, issues related to the increased emergence of antibiotic resistant pathogens have made headlines and stimulated serious public concern. The continued growth and well-being of the aquaculture industry requires that the industry meet the challenges for minimizing the effects of disease and provide a wholesome product, while preventing further development in pathogen resistance to antibiotics and chemotherapeutics. The aquaculture industry can meet these challenges with more rapid and expanded health management practices that use vaccines to increase survival, optimize growth strategies and feed conversion of farmed fish. Vaccination is among the most successful veterinary practices to prevent deaths and to provide animal production biosecurity safeguards. In recent years, fish vaccinology has made real progress in both the safety and efficacy of the vaccines, especially against bacterial diseases of salmonids and catfish (Sommerset et al. 2005). However, very limited information is available in the literature on vaccination of tilapia against streptococcal pathogens. In the past few years, Streptococcus iniae and S. agalactiae have been recognized as emerging pathogens that are highly virulent for many species of cultured fish. The economic impact of S. iniae and S. agalactiae infection on aquaculture industry is estimated in millions of dollars annually, worldwide. This presentation will focus on the development of vaccines against S. iniae and S. agalactiae and the strategies and benefits of the vaccination of tilapia in preventing streptococcosis. Results will be presented that demonstrate the efficacy of these vaccines after bath immersion of 0.1 to 10 g tilapia and at targeted life stages.