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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Aquatic Animal Health Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #392980
Research Project: Integrated Research to Improve Aquatic Animal Health in Warmwater Aquaculture

Location: Aquatic Animal Health Research

Title: Development of an attenuated columnaris vaccine for catfish and other fish species in the southern region

Author
item HARRISON, COURTNEY - Auburn University
item Lafrentz, Benjamin
item BRUCE, TIMOTHY - Auburn University

Submitted to: Fish Farming News
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/31/2022
Publication Date: 4/28/2022
Citation: Harrison, C., Lafrentz, B.R., Bruce, T.J. 2022. Development of an attenuated columnaris vaccine for catfish and other fish species in the southern region. Fish Farming News. 2022(1):12-13.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Flavobacterium columnare, the bacteria that causes columnaris disease in many cultured and wild fish species, is a devastating pathogen that generates significant mortality and economic losses. This disease is found throughout the Southern catfish industry and treatment means can be both difficult and expensive for producers. Recent research revealed F. columnare represents four bacteria species (F. columnare, F. covae, F. davisii, and F. oreochromis) and there are biological associations between the columnaris disease-causing bacterial species and fish host. This knowledge is important for development of columnaris vaccines and these need to target the appropriate pathogen for the fish species the vaccine will be used. This article will provide an overview of a new research project aimed to develop attenuated strains of F. columnare, F. covae, F. davisii, and F. oreochromis for use in live-attenuated vaccines to prevent columnaris disease in different aquaculture fish species.