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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Aquatic Animal Health Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #363381
Research Project: Pathogen Characterization, Host Immune Response and Development of Strategies to Reduce Losses to Disease in Aquaculture

Location: Aquatic Animal Health Research

Title: 2017-2018 Research update on vaccine tests

Author
item TERHUNE, JEFF - Auburn University
item Beck, Benjamin
item JAMES, JESSE - Auburn University
item HANSON, TERRY - Auburn University
item CHAPPEL, JESSE - Auburn University
item ROY, LUKE - Auburn University

Submitted to: Fish Farming News
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/30/2019
Publication Date: 4/15/2019
Citation: Terhune, J., Beck, B.H., James, J., Hanson, T., Chappel, J., Roy, L. 2019. 2017-2018 Research update on vaccine tests. Fish Farming News. Issue 01:11-12.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In 2017, a collaborative research project between the Alabama Catfish Producers (ALFA), Alabama Catfish Feed Mill, Williamson Cattle Company, Auburn University School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic sciences, Kennebec River Biosciences, and the USDA ARS Aquatic Animal Health Research Unit was initiated to evaluate performance of catfish grown in commercial ponds and vaccinated with a combination vacine. This effort was built on research that had been conducted in 2015 and 2016 using in-pond raceway systems (IPRS) that would maintain experimental groups of fish separate from one another in the same pond. Commercial size ponds undergo changes in environment and exposure to pathogens that are difficult to replicate in pond research studies. More research is needed to build and deliver vaccines that provide the maximum survival when they come into contact with disease-causing organisms but is also cost-efficient. Injection of vaccines into catfish has not proven to be cost efficient, however, newer advanced methods of vaccine delivery such as oral delivery through the feed and even immersion products need to be evaluated under good research designs with commercial application in mind.