Abstract: Aeromonas hydrophila is a reemerging pathogen of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus); recent outbreaks from 2009 to 2014 have caused the loss of more than 12 million pounds of market size catfish in Alabama and Mississippi. Genome sequencing revealed a clonal group of A. hydrophila isolates with unique genetic and phenotypic features that is highly pathogenic in channel catfish. Comparison of the genome sequence of a representative catfish isolate (ML09-119) from this virulent clonal group with lower virulence A. hydrophila isolates revealed four fimbrial proteins unique to strain ML09-119. In this work, we expressed and purified four A. hydrophila fimbrial proteins (FimA, Fim, MrfG, and FimOM) and assessed their ability to protect and stimulate protective immunity in channel catfish fingerlings against A. hydrophila ML09-119 infection for vaccine development. Our results showed catfish immunized with FimA, Fim, FimMrfG, and FimOM exhibited 59.83%, 95.41%, 85.72%, and 75.

Abstract: Aeromonas hydrophila is a reemerging pathogen of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus); recent outbreaks from 2009 to 2014 have caused the loss of more than 12 million pounds of market size catfish in Alabama and Mississippi. Genome sequencing revealed a clonal group of A. hydrophila isolates with unique genetic and phenotypic features that is highly pathogenic in channel catfish. Comparison of the genome sequence of a representative catfish isolate (ML09-119) from this virulent clonal group with lower virulence A. hydrophila isolates revealed four fimbrial proteins unique to strain ML09-119. In this work, we expressed and purified four A. hydrophila fimbrial proteins (FimA, Fim, MrfG, and FimOM) and assessed their ability to protect and stimulate protective immunity in channel catfish fingerlings against A. hydrophila ML09-119 infection for vaccine development. Our results showed catfish immunized with FimA, Fim, FimMrfG, and FimOM exhibited 59.83%, 95.41%, 85.72%, and 75.

Abstract: Aeromonas hydrophila is a reemerging pathogen of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus); recent outbreaks from 2009 to 2014 have caused the loss of more than 12 million pounds of market size catfish in Alabama and Mississippi. Genome sequencing revealed a clonal group of A. hydrophila isolates with unique genetic and phenotypic features that is highly pathogenic in channel catfish. Comparison of the genome sequence of a representative catfish isolate (ML09-119) from this virulent clonal group with lower virulence A. hydrophila isolates revealed four fimbrial proteins unique to strain ML09-119. In this work, we expressed and purified four A. hydrophila fimbrial proteins (FimA, Fim, MrfG, and FimOM) and assessed their ability to protect and stimulate protective immunity in channel catfish fingerlings against A. hydrophila ML09-119 infection for vaccine development. Our results showed catfish immunized with FimA, Fim, FimMrfG, and FimOM exhibited 59.83%, 95.41%, 85.72%, and 75.

Abstract: A live attenuated Edwardsiella ictaluri bacterium lacking a viable gene encoding a functional evpB protein and a method of using the same to protect fish against infection from virulent Edwardsiella ictaluri. The methods and compositions for protecting fish against infection from virulent Edwardsiella ictaluri comprising administering to a fish a therapeutically effective amount of an attenuated Edwardsiella ictaluri bacterium lacking a viable gene encoding a functional EvpB protein. The bacterium may include an insertion and/or deletion mutation in the evpB gene. The fish include catfish, preferably catfish fingerling or a catfish fry. The composition may be delivered via immersion delivery, an injection delivery, an oral delivery, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Live attenuated bacteria vaccines against enteric septicemia of fish, especially catfish, and methods related to the same. Mutant strains of the bacteria Edwardsiella ictaluri (a pathogenic bacterial strain of Enterobacteriaceae) are provided. The mutant Edwardsiella ictaluri bacteria (or other pathogenic bacterial strain of Enterobacteriaceae) contain one or more gene deletions or disruptions that result in less virulent bacterial strains as live attenuated vaccine compositions against virulent wild-type Edwardsiella ictaluri bacteria (or other pathogenic bacterial strain of Enterobacteriaceae). The mutant strains showing the best immunological protection and safety as a vaccine are the triple mutants ESC-NDKL1 (?gcvP?sdhC?frdA) strain and ESC-NDKL2 (?gcvP?sdhC?mdh) strain, with the ESC-NDKL1 strain providing the greatest safety and efficacy of these two triple mutants.

Abstract: A live attenuated Edwardsiella ictaluri bacterium lacking a viable gene encoding a functional evpB protein and a method of using the same to protect fish against infection from virulent Edwardsiella ictaluri. The methods and compositions for protecting fish against infection from virulent Edwardsiella ictaluri comprising administering to a fish a therapeutically effective amount of an attenuated Edwardsiella ictaluri bacterium lacking a viable gene encoding a functional EvpB protein. The bacterium may include an insertion and/or deletion mutation in the evpB gene. The fish include catfish, preferably catfish fingerling or a catfish fry. The composition may be delivered via immersion delivery, an injection delivery, an oral delivery, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Live attenuated bacteria vaccines against enteric septicemia of fish, especially catfish, and methods related to the same. Mutant strains of the bacteria Edwardsiella ictaluri (a pathogenic bacterial strain of Enterobacteriaceae) are provided. The mutant Edwardsiella ictaluri bacteria (or other pathogenic bacterial strain of Enterobacteriaceae) contain one or more gene deletions or disruptions that result in less virulent bacterial strains as live attenuated vaccine compositions against virulent wild-type Edwardsiella ictaluri bacteria (or other pathogenic bacterial strain of Enterobacteriaceae). The mutant strains showing the best immunological protection and safety as a vaccine are the triple mutants ESC-NDKL1 (?gcvP?sdhC?frdA) strain and ESC-NDKL2 (?gcvP?sdhC?mdh) strain, with the ESC-NDKL1 strain providing the greatest safety and efficacy of these two triple mutants.

Abstract: A high throughput bioluminescence mutant screening procedure is disclosed. This procedure utilizes robotics, and bacterial luciferase to allow real-time monitoring of mutant viability. The procedure was used to decelop a live attenuated vaccine for a catfish against E. ictaluri, which is further claimed herein. Additionally, genes from other bacterial species are disclosed which may also be used to create vaccines.

Abstract: A high throughput bioluminescence mutant screening procedure is disclosed. This procedure utilizes robotics, and bacterial luciferase to allow real-time monitoring of mutant viability. The procedure was used to decelop a live attenuated vaccine for a catfish against E. ictaluri, which is further claimed herein. Additionally, genes from other bacterial species are disclosed which may also be used to create vaccines.

Abstract: A high throughput bioluminescence mutant screening procedure is disclosed. This procedure utilizes robotics, and bacterial luciferase to allow real-time monitoring of mutant viability. The procedure was used to develop a live attenuated vaccine for a catfish against E. ictaluri, which is further claimed herein. Additionally, genes from other bacterial species are disclosed which may also be used to create vaccines.

Abstract: Live attenuated bacteria vaccines are provided. Also provided are methods by which such vaccines can be obtained, including: a method by which a copy of the dam gene from a pathogenic bacteria is cloned into a plasmid capable of replication in the same bacteria species such that it is overexpressed from either a lac promoter, tac promoter, araBAD promoter, trc promoter, trp promoter, T7, SP6, or T5 bacteriophage promoters, a native promoter from that species, or other appropriate promoter. The plasmid containing the dam gene is then transferred into the pathogens to cause increased expression of Dam resulting in the formation of a live attenuated bacterial vaccines. Alternative methods for producing the vaccine are also provided including altering or replacing the chromosomal promoter for the native dam gene so as to alter Dam expression or mutating or replacing the native dam gene so as to alter the expression of Dam in a pathogenic bacteria.

Abstract: A high throughput bioluminescence mutant screening procedure is disclosed. This procedure utilizes robotics, and bacterial luciferase to allow real-time monitoring of mutant viability. The procedure was used to decelop a live attenuated vaccine for a catfish against E. ictaluri, which is further claimed herein. Additionally, genes from other bacterial species are disclosed which may also be used to create vaccines.

Abstract: A method for identifying virulent strains of L. monocytogenes that includes the use of primers or probes in a PCR assay or hybridization technique that employs primers or probes, which are specific for virulence-specific genes of L. monocytogenes. Also provided is a method of control of L. monocytogenes strains that have been identified using the method of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for identifying virulent strains of L. monocytogenes that includes the use of primers or probes in a PCR assay or hybridization technique that employs primers or probes, which are specific for virulence-specific genes of L. monocytogenes. Also provided is a method of control of L. monocytogenes strains that have been identified using the method of the present invention.