Abstract: Vibrio vulnificus can cause infections in aquaculture-raised fish and is considered an opportunistic human pathogen. We isolated V. vulnificus from diseased hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus X O. aureus) cultured in a North American water reuse aquaculture facility. We have characterized the isolate using biochemical and molecular methods, developed a disease infection model, and determined that formalin-inactivated whole-cell vaccine provides protection against V. vulnificus. The V. vulnificus isolate was determined to be biotype 1, 16S rRNA type B, vcg type C, and vvhA type 2. Fish vaccinated with the formalin-inactivated whole-cell vaccine responded to vaccination as measured by agglutinating antibody titer. In two separate trials, vaccinated tilapia exhibited relative percent survival of 73 and 60% following challenge with the homologous isolate. In additional trials, vaccinated tilapia exhibited survival values of up to 87.5% following challenge with a heterologous isolate.

Abstract: Fish are immunized by a mass vaccination method, such as by immersion in water containing an attenuated strain of a pathogenic bacterium that does not effectively cause disease in fish when the non-attenuated pathogenic bacterium is exposed to the fish by immersion. An illustrative example of the method is for immunizing against coldwater disease caused by Flavobacterium psychrophilum, which may be attenuated by serial passage in media containing increasing amounts of an antibiotic, such as rifampicin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antigenic proteins derived from White Spot Syndrome virus having an estimated size of 19 kDa (VP 19) or 13 kDA (VP13), to the use of these proteins in vaccines and to vaccines on the basis of these proteins. Furthermore, the invention relates to antibodies against these proteins and to the use of antibodies in vaccines, to nucleic acid sequences encoding these proteins and to their use in vaccines. Also, the invention relates to the use of said proteins in the manufacture of a vaccine for prophylaxis and/or treatment of White Spot Syndrome in crustaceans, to vector vaccines and to diagnostic kits comprising said nuclei acids or antibodies.

Abstract: An attenuated, avirulent recombinant vaccine providing challenged protection against channel catfish virus comprises deletion of gene 50. Gene 50 encodes a secreted glycoprotein. Removal of gene 50, or replacement of gene 50 with foreign genetic material, provides a vaccine with which induces virus specific immunity against CCV disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of immunization of aquaculture species by introducing DNA expression systems into the aquaculture species. Such DNA expression systems preferably include DNA sequences encoding polypeptides of pathogens of species of aquaculture. The present invention also relates to methods of administration of DNA expression systems into aquaculture. Such methods include injection, spray, and immersion techniques. The methods of this invention are useful for prophylactic vaccination or therapeutic immunization of fin-fish, shellfish, or other aquatic animals against infectious diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of immunization of aquaculture species by introducing DNA expression systems into the aquaculture species. Such DNA expression systems preferably include DNA sequences encoding polypeptides of pathogens of species of aquaculture. The present invention also relates to methods of administration of DNA expression systems into aquaculture. Such methods include injection, spray, and immersion techniques. The methods of this invention are useful for prophylactic vaccination or therapeutic immunization of fin-fish, shellfish, or other aquatic animals against infectious diseases.

Abstract: This invention relates broadly to a novel ambient-temperature process for making aquatic animal feed including fish and crustaceans and to the aquatic animal feed so produced.

Abstract: Subunit vaccines and their use for immunizing fish against infection by viruses are disclosed. In particular, plasmid pG8 is constructed by joining, with the plasmid pUC8, DNA which encodes the glycoprotein of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV). E. coli cells are transformed by pG8, whereby pure viral antigen is produced to provide a vaccine for the control of IHNV in fish.