Gene Cloning and Expression of Major Capsid Protein of Large Yellow Croaker Iridovirus and Its Secretion Based on α‐hemolysin Transport System

Large yellow croaker iridovirus (LYCIV) is an important pathogen of mariculture fish. The complete gene of an important protective antigen, major capsid protein (MCP), of LYCIV was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and was cloned into pET‐16b for expression in Escherichia coli. The MCP‐encoded gene was in‐frame fused to the E. coliα‐hemolysin transport elements to construct the MCP secretory expression plasmid pMOhlyM, and its secretion characters in E. coli and attenuated Vibrio anguillarum MVAV6203 were investigated. With the aid of E. coliα‐hemolysin transport system, about 400 μg/L MCP was secreted into culture supernatant in E. coli, while intracellularly expressed MCP in MVAV6203 was not secreted. The study provides the foundation for attempts to secrete viral‐originated antigens by the E. coli HlyA transporter in bacterial hosts and to explore feasible ways to develop multivalent live vaccines against both bacterial and viral pathogens.     

Construction expression and immunogenicity of a novel trivalent outer membrane protein (OmpU-A-II) from three bacterial pathogens in Japanese eels (Anguilla japonica)

Vibrio vulnificus, Edwardsiella anguillarum and Aeromonas hydrophila are three common bacterial pathogens in cultivated eels. To protect farming eels from infection by these pathogens, a trivalent outer membrane protein (OMP) containing partial sequences of OmpU from V. vulnificus, OmpA from E. anguillarum and OmpII from A. hydrophila was expressed and purified; then, the OMP was used as a vaccine to immunize Japanese eels (Anguilla japonica). Whole-blood cell proliferation, antibody titres and complement and lysozyme activities were detected at different days post-immunization (dpi), and the relative per cent survival (RPS) was determined after eels were infected with V. vulnificus, E. anguillarum or A. hydrophila at 28 dpi. The results showed that the OMP significantly stimulates the antibody titres. At 14 days after the challenge (i.e. at 28 dpi), the RPS of OMP against V. vulnificus, E. anguillarum and A. hydrophila was 20%, 70% and 11.1%, respectively. The construction, expression and immunogenicity of a trivalent Omp were reported for the first time, and this study will provide a valuable reference for the development of fish multiplex vaccines.     

利用响应面法优化鳗弧菌载体疫苗MVAV6203A-1冷冻干燥保护剂配方

应用单因素试验、复合保护剂组合试验和响应面分析法,对鳗弧菌载体疫苗MVAV6203A-1冷冻干燥的保护剂配方进行筛选和优化。试验结果表明,众多保护剂中半乳糖、海藻糖和脱脂牛奶的组合使用,能够显著提高细胞对冷冻干燥环境的耐受力。以冻干后的细胞存活率为响应值,响应面法优化的结果为:半乳糖4.6%、海藻糖2.3%、脱脂牛奶10.2%,以优化的最佳配方进行的3次重复冻干试验,细胞平均存活率可达77.3%。优化的保护剂配方适用于鳗弧菌载体疫苗的冻干生产。     

Comparison of Protective Efficacy between Formalin‐killed and aroA Gene‐knockout Vibrio anguillarum Vaccines in Olive Flounder,Paralichthys olivaceus

The aro genes in bacteria encode enzymes needed for the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids, and mutant bacteria that are defective in the enzymes can replicate only a limited number in vertebrates owing to the lack or scarceness of chorismate, through which the mutant bacteria of the aro genes become attenuated. In the present study, the 5‐enolpyruvylshikimate‐3‐phosphate synthase (aroA) gene‐knockout Vibrio anguillarum (ΔaroA V. anguillarum) were generated by the allelic exchange method, and its vaccine potential was evaluated in the olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, by comparing the protective efficacy of a formalin‐inactivated V. anguillarum. The LD₅₀ (50% lethal dose) value of ΔaroA V. anguillarum was 1000 times higher than that of wild‐type V. anguillarum in olive flounder fingerlings, and the growth of ΔaroA V. anguillarum was significantly suppressed by coincubation with nonimmune olive flounder serum compared with that of wild‐type V. anguillarum. The survival rates and serum agglutination titers of fish immunized with ΔaroA V. anguillarum were significantly higher than those of fish immunized with the same amount of formalin‐inactivated V. anguillarum, suggesting that although the inactivated V. anguillarum vaccine can provide a high protection in olive flounder, the protective efficacy can be enhanced by immunization with an auxotrophic mutant ΔaroA V. anguillarum.     

Comparative Susceptibility of Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus; Blue Catfish,Ictalurus furcatus; and Channel (♀) × Blue (♂) Hybrid Catfish to Edwardsiella piscicida,Edwardsiella tarda,and Edwardsiella anguillarum

Members of the genus Edwardsiella are important pathogens of cultured and wild fish globally. Recent investigations into the phenotypic and genotypic variation of Edwardsiella tarda have led to the segregation of E. tarda into three distinct taxa: E. tarda, Edwardsiella piscicida, and Edwardsiella anguillarum. In catfish aquaculture in the southeastern USA, E. piscicida has been more commonly associated with disease than E. tarda or E. anguillarum, and recent research has demonstrated E. piscicida to be more pathogenic in channel catfish than E. tarda or E. anguillarum. Anecdotal reports from industry suggest an increased prevalence of E. piscicida associated with the culture of channel (♀) × blue (♂) hybrid catfish. This work investigated the comparative susceptibility of channel catfish, blue catfish, and their hybrid cross to molecularly confirmed isolates of E. tarda, E. piscicida, and E. anguillarum. There was significantly higher mortality in hybrid catfish compared to channel catfish following intracoelomic injection of E. piscicida. To our knowledge, E. piscicida is the first bacterial pathogen to demonstrate increased pathogenicity in hybrid catfish compared to channel catfish.     

Development of a two‐step,non‐probed multiplex real‐time PCR for surveilling Vibrio anguillarum in seawater

Vibrio anguillarum is an aggressive and halophilic bacterial pathogen most commonly originating from seawater. Vibrio anguillarum presence in fisheries and aquaculture facilities causes significant morbidity and mortality among aquaculture species primarily from haemorrhaging of the body and skin of the infected fish that eventually leads to death, collectively recognized as the disease vibriosis. This study served to develop a non‐probe, multiplex real‐time PCR assay to rapidly detect V. anguillarum presence in seawater. Specific primers targeting genes vah1, empA and rpoN of V. anguillarum were selected for multiplex reaction among 11 different primer sets and the extension step was eliminated. Primer concentration, denaturation time as well as annealing time and temperature of DNA amplification were optimized, thus reducing reaction duration. The two‐step, non‐probed multiplex real‐time PCR set forth by this study detects as little as 3 CFU mL^?1 of V. anguillarum presence in sea water, without enrichment cultivation, in 70 min with molecular precision and includes melting curve confirmation.     

Efficacy of Vibrio anguillarum antigen administered by intraperitoneal injection route in Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus (Temminck et Schlegel)

Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus (Temminck et Schlegel), were immunized by the intraperitoneal (i. p.) injection route with formalin‐killed whole cells of Vibrio anguillarum that originated from a diseased fish. Fifty days later, a booster vaccination was given by the same route. Control fish were similarly treated with sterile phosphate‐buffered saline. The efficacy of vaccination was evaluated based on protection against two bacterial challenges and immune responses (both specific and non‐specific). The challenges were performed by i. p. injection with V. anguillarum or V. parahaemolyticus. The results indicated that the vaccinated fish showed higher non‐specific immune activity than the unvaccinated fish. The effects of vaccinations on the phagocytic activity of phagocyte, bactericidal and lysozyme activities were notable, especially on bactericidal activity. Determined by ELISA, antiserum of vaccinated fish displayed high antibody titres. The vaccination conferred protection against V. anguillarum challenge (81.25–93.75% relative percentage survival (RPS)). The RPS was 46.15–53.85% against V. parahaemolyticus challenge, indicating some degree of cross‐protective immunity.     

Isolation and characterization of Bacillus spp. M001 for potential application in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) against Vibrio anguillarum

The aim of this study was to screen Bacillus strains from the guts of Scophthalmus maximus, Paralichthys olivacues, Epinephelus coioides and Clupanodon punctatus, for use as probiotics in aquaculture. Eight Bacillus strains were screened, and strain M001 was selected for probiotic study based on its antagonistic activity against multiple aquatic bacterial pathogens including Vibrio anguillarum, V. campbellii, V. vulnificus, V. parahamolyticus, Streptococcus sp. and Edwardsiella tarda. M001 was identified as B. amyloliquefaciens based on the biochemical tests and 16S rRNA gene analysis. In vitro experiments revealed that M001 was able to grow at a wider range of temperature, pH and salinity and was capable to use turbot mucus as nutrient for growth. Additionally, M001 isolate greatly inhibited the growth of V. anguillarum by producing antibacterial substances and was acid tolerance, non‐antibiotic resistance and non‐harmful. Thereafter, the potential probiotic effect of M001 was tested in turbot by dietary administration of M001 at a dose of 10⁸ CFU g^?1 diet for 42 days. No significant differences of weight gain, specific growth rate and feed ratio were found in the M001‐diet group of fish compared with control fish, but which increased, respectively, by 5.5%, 4.7% and 7.0% after 42 days of feeding. Several digestive enzyme activities were found to increase significantly in the M001‐diet group, including protease and amylase activities in hepatopancreas, protease activity in intestine and lipase activity in stomach (P < 0.05). Sera superoxide dismutase activity and total protein content (P < 0.05) were also increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the M001‐diet group. The challenge experiment showed that the M001‐diet group of fish showed a relative per cent of survival of 62.7% against V. anguillarim infection. The Bacillus M001 identified from this study has good potential to provide vibriosis control as probiotic feed additive for turbot aquaculture.     

Surface-exposed expression of Edwardsiella tarda EseB in live attenuated Vibrio anguillarum based on novel surface display systems

Live, attenuated Vibrio anguillarum strains can serve as vectors for the delivery of heterologous antigens for development of multivalent recombinant vaccines. Based on the outer membrane anchoring elements of V. anguillarum , we have previously constructed several efficient surface display systems Lpp-Omporf1, Lpp-OmpU, Lpp-Omp26La, Wza-Omporf1, Wza-OmpU and Wza-Omp26La. In this study, with these constructed surface display systems, a putative antigen protein EseB from pathogenic Edwardsiella tarda was successfully expressed on the surface of an attenuated V. anguillarum strain to get multivalent vaccine candidates. Further immune protection evaluation in zebra fish ( Danio rerio ) demonstrated that the V. anguillarum EseB-display strain AV/pW-26La-B could trigger full protection against V. anguillarum infection and early protection against E. tarda infection in the immunized fish. These results suggest that surface display of heterologous protective antigens in attenuated V. anguillarum could be used as a tool to develop potential V. anguillarum vector vaccine.     

Vibrogen‐2 vaccine trial in lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) against Vibrio anguillarum

Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus), a native fish of the North Atlantic Ocean, is utilized as cleaner fish to biocontrol sea lice infestations in Atlantic salmon aquaculture. However, bacterial infections are affecting cleaner fish performance. Vibrio anguillarum, the aetiological agent of vibriosis, is one of the most frequent bacterial infections in lumpfish, and effective vaccine programmes against this pathogen have been identified as a high priority for lumpfish. Vibrogen‐2 is a commercial polyvalent bath vaccine that contains formalin‐inactivated cultures of V. anguillarum serotypes O1 and O2, and Vibrio ordalii. In this study, we evaluated Vibrogen‐2 efficacy in lumpfish against a local isolated V. anguillarum strain. Two groups of 125 lumpfish were bath‐immunized, bath‐boost‐immunized at four weeks post‐primary immunization, and intraperitoneally (i.p.) boost‐immunized at eight weeks post‐primary immunization. The control groups were i.p. mock‐immunized with PBS. Twenty‐seven weeks post‐primary immunization, the fish were i.p. challenged with 10 or 100 times the V. anguillarum J360 LD₅₀ dose. After the challenge, survival was monitored daily, and samples of tissues were collected at ten days post‐challenge. Commercial vaccine Vibrogen‐2 reduced V. anguillarum tissue colonization and delayed mortality but did not confer immune protection to C. lumpus against the V. anguillarum i.p. challenge.     

Genotypic and phenotypic characterization of Edwardsiella isolates from different fish species and geographical areas in Asia: Implications for vaccine development

The genus Edwardsiella is one of the major causes of fish diseases globally. Herein, we examined 37 isolates from ten different fish species from India, South Korea and Taiwan to gain insight into their phenotypic and genotypic properties, of which 30 were characterized as E. tarda with phenotypic homology estimated at 85.71% based on API‐20E biochemical tests. Genotyping using 16S rRNA put all isolates together with E. anguillarum, E. hoshinae, E. tarda, E. piscicida and E. ictaluri reference strains in a monophyletic group. In contrast, the gyrB phylogenetic tree clearly separated E. ictaluri, E. tarda and E. hoshinae reference strains from our isolates and put our isolates into two groups with group I being homologous with the E. anguillarum reference strain while group II was homologous with the E. piscicida reference strain. Hence, our findings point to E. piscicida and E. anguillarum as species infecting different fish species in Asia. Homology of the ompW protein suggested that strains with broad protective coverage could be identified as vaccine candidates. This study underscores the importance of combining genotyping with phenotyping for valid species classification. In addition, it accentuates the importance of phylogenetic comparison of bacterial antigens for identification of potential vaccine candidates.     

Vaccine development for winter ulcer disease, Vibrio viscosus, in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

Coldwater Vibrio species isolated from Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., during winter ulcer disease outbreaks at saltwater sites in Norway and Iceland were characterized phenotypically, tested for virulence, and used to evaluate the efficacy of multivalent, oil-adjuvanted vaccines. The intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), in fresh water with one bacteria species isolated during winter ulcer outbreaks, V. ‘viscosus’, produced rapid mortality and disease signs which resembled those observed during natural outbreaks [10⁵ colony-forming units (cfu) fish^??1]. Another species, V. ‘wodanis’, was not virulent to rainbow trout (10³–10⁶ cfu fish^??1). Although vaccination of rainbow trout with a mineral-oil-adjuvanted, injectable vaccine containing V. anguillarum (serotypes 01 and 02), V. salmonicida and Aeromonas salmonicida did not provide protection against injection challenge with V. viscosus, vaccines which included V. viscosus produced significant protection in Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout. Atlantic salmon vaccinated with an oil-adjuvanted vaccine containing V. viscosus, V. wodanis and atypical A. salmonicida produced a relative percentage survival (RPS) of 97% when challenged i.p. with V. viscosus, demonstrating cross-protection between strains from Iceland and Norway. Short-term efficacy was demonstrated in rainbow trout by injection challenge at 21 and 43 days post-vaccination with an oil-adjuvanted vaccine containing V. viscosus, V. anguillarum (01/02), V. salmonicida and A. salmonicida, which produced an RPS of 96–99%. Rainbow trout challenged with V. viscosus at 52 and 362 days post-vaccination produced an RPS of 93% and 79%, indicating that vaccination provided long-term protection. In a similar manner, rainbow trout injected i.p. with 0.2 mL of a vaccine containing the five bacteria species and infectious pancreatic necrosis virus produced a 90% RPS when challenged with V. viscosus 66 days later. The high RPS under a severe challenge burden, along with disease signs in experimental freshwater challenges which resembled the saltwater disease condition, indicated that V. viscosus is a contributing factor to winter ulcer and that vaccination will protect against the disease.     

Traditional antibacterial activity of freshwater microalga Spirulina platensis to aquatic pathogens

The crude ethanol, methanol and aqueous extracts of Spirulina (Spirulina platensis) have been investigated for antibacterial activity using disc diffusion assays against various strains of fish and shellfish pathogens e.g. Pseudomonas putida (ATCC 49128; PP1, PP2), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 35032; PA1, PA2), Pseudomonas fluorescens (PF1, PF2), Aeromonas hydrophila (ATCC 49140; AH1, AH2, AH3, AH4), Vibrio alginolyticus (VA), Vibrio anguillarum (VAN), Vibrio fluvialis (VF), Vibrio parahaemolyticus (VP), Vibrio harveyi (VH), Vibrio fisheri (VFS), Edwardsiella tarda and animal isolates of Escherichia coli (O115, O1, O156, O164, O111 and O109). The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of crude extracts were determined using the tube dilution method. Ethanolic extract showed comparatively higher antibacterial activity (15.66 mm) than that of methanolic and aqueous extract of S. platensis along with their respective MIC values, ranging from 100 to 150 μg mL^?1. The aqueous extract had no effective antibacterial activity against the test microorganism. The study suggested that S. platensis may have potential use in aqua feed as an antimicrobial agent of pharmaceutical interest.     

Identification and Detection of the Pathogenic Bacteria Responsible for Swollen Abdomen Disease in Cultured Turbot,Scophthalmus maximus,and Flounder,Paralichthys olivaceus

Swollen abdomen disease (SAD) seriously threatens the aquaculture of turbots and flounders. Two dominant bacterial strains, FS1 and FS2, were isolated from the livers and kidneys of fish with diagnosed SAD. Applications of biochemical analyses, sequence analyses of 16S ribosomal RNA gene and heat shock protein 60 gene revealed two distinct pathogenic bacterial species, Edwardsiella tarda and Vibrio alginolyticus. These two hypothesized SAD‐causing pathogens were validated by challenge trials on flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Challenges with E. tarda and V. alginolyticus demonstrated lethal dose 50 (LD₅₀) values at 1.51 × 10⁵ colony‐forming units (CFU) and 1.05 × 10⁵ CFU, respectively. To develop a rapid SAD diagnosis method in flounders and turbots, a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay method was developed to simultaneously detect E. tarda and V. alginolyticus. Our multiplex PCR assay successfully detected as low as 10⁵ CFU/mL E. tarda and V. alginolyticus in flounders and turbots. No other common fish pathogens were detected with the multiplex PCR, suggesting a high specificity of this assay. The multiplex PCR assay developed in this study showed a great reliability in detecting SAD‐causing bacterial pathogens. Further optimization of this assay may contribute to the development of a novel SAD diagnosis tool in aquaculture.     

鳗弧菌O1/O2二价灭活疫苗免疫大菱鲆的抗体持续期和免疫保护期

本研究分析了鳗弧菌(Vibrio anguillarum)O1/O2血清型二价灭活疫苗免疫大菱鲆后的抗体持续期和免疫保护期。以鳗弧菌O1血清型VAM003株和O2血清型VAM007株为抗原制备了福尔马林灭活二价疫苗,将疫苗按照三种剂量(10~7 cells/尾、10~8 cells/尾、10~9 cells/尾)以腹腔注射途径免疫大菱鲆,在免疫后3 d、7 d、14 d、30 d、60 d、90 d、120 d、150 d,用血清凝集实验检测了免疫鱼血清的VAM003和VAM007抗体效价,用攻毒实验检测了疫苗的免疫保护率(RPS)。结果显示,在免疫后7 d三个剂量组的大菱鲆均产生了特异抗体,并获得27%～60%的RPS。三个剂量组大菱鲆的O1血清型抗体持续期分别90 d (10~7 cells/尾组)、150 d (10~8 cells/尾组)、150 d (10~9cells/尾组),而三个剂量组大菱鲆的O2血清型抗体持续期均150 d。三个剂量组的大菱鲆获得的免疫保护持续期均150 d;以RPS75%为有效免疫保护,各剂量组大菱鲆抵抗O1血清型病原感染的有效免疫保护期为:14～120d(10~7 cells组)、14～120 d (10~8 cells/尾)、14～150 d (10~9 cells/尾),抵抗O2血清型病原感染的有效免疫保护期为:14～60 d (10~7 cells组)、14～120 d (10~8 cells/尾)、14～120 d (10~9 cells/尾)。研究结果表明鳗弧菌二价灭活疫苗可为大菱鲆提供有效而稳定的免疫保护,获得的抗体持续期和免疫保护期为该疫苗的临床中试研究提供了基础。     

Vibrio anguillarum as a fish pathogen: virulence factors, diagnosis and prevention

Vibrio anguillarum, also known as Listonella anguillarum, is the causative agent of vibriosis, a deadly haemorrhagic septicaemic disease affecting various marine and fresh/brackish water fish, bivalves and crustaceans. In both aquaculture and larviculture, this disease is responsible for severe economic losses worldwide. Because of its high morbidity and mortality rates, substantial research has been carried out to elucidate the virulence mechanisms of this pathogen and to develop rapid detection techniques and effective disease‐prevention strategies. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge pertaining to V. anguillarum, focusing on pathogenesis, known virulence factors, diagnosis, prevention and treatment.     

Studies on the antibody response and side effects after intramuscular and intraperitoneal injection of Atlantic lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus L.) with different oil‐based vaccines

Atlantic lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus L.) is used as a biological delousing agent for sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis K.) infestations in Norwegian aquaculture. Here, we present a study on the antibody response and vaccine side effects after intramuscular and intraperitoneal injection of lumpfish with two vaccines. Both vaccines contained bacterial antigens from atypical Aeromonas salmonicida A‐layer types V and VI, Vibrio anguillarum serotype O1 and Moritella viscosa sp., but one vaccine contained a vegetable oil‐based adjuvant, while the other contained a mineral oil‐based adjuvant. Intramuscular injection of the mineral oil‐based vaccine caused a high acute mortality of fish within 48 hr after immunization. Intraperitoneal injection of the mineral oil‐based vaccine resulted in a lower severity of intra‐abdominal side effects than the vegetable oil‐based vaccine. Intramuscular injection of the mineral oil‐based vaccine resulted in a significantly higher antibody response against A. salmonicida when compared to controls and the vegetable oil‐based vaccine group. The antibody response was poor against V. anguillarum and M. viscosa for all groups. Our results indicate that intramuscular injection of oil‐based vaccines might be feasible for providing immunological protection for Atlantic lumpfish against bacterial diseases, especially atypical A. salmonicida, but more work is required to identity optimal adjuvants.     

3种免疫途径下迟缓爱德华菌菌蜕疫苗对欧洲鳗的免疫保护效果

为了探讨迟缓爱德华菌菌蜕疫苗预防鳗鲡爱德华菌病的可行性,实验采用腹腔注射、口服、浸泡3种途径探讨了迟缓爱德华菌菌蜕疫苗对欧洲鳗的免疫保护效果。结果表明,免疫后欧洲鳗血清抗体效价均明显升高,但菌蜕疫苗(ETG)组与福尔马林灭活疫苗(FKC)组间血清抗体效价无显著性差异。欧洲鳗注射、口服、浸泡ETG组的相对免疫保护率分别为75.0%、52.5%、37.5%,分别高于FKC组的55.0%、40.0%、32.5%,且ETG组欧洲鳗死亡时间明显推后,表明菌蜕疫苗的免疫保护效果优于福尔马林灭活疫苗。易操作、对鱼体应激少的ETG疫苗口服免疫欧洲鳗获得了52.5%的免疫保护率,在预防鳗鲡爱德华菌病中具有良好的应用前景。     

Effect of dietary chitosan on haematology,innate immunity and disease resistance of Asian seabass Lates calcarifer (Bloch)

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of dietary chitosan on haematology, innate immunity and protection against Vibrio anguillarum in Asian seabass, Lates calcarifer. A basal diet supplemented with 0, 5, 10 and 20 g chitosan kg^?1 diet was fed to the four different groups for 60 days. The haematological (total erythrocyte count, total leucocyte count, total serum protein, albumin, globulin and albumin‐globulin ratio) and innate immune parameters (phagocytic ratio, respiratory burst, serum lysozyme and serum bactericidal activities) were monitored at fortnight interval to assess the effect of chitosan feeding in Asian seabass. All the studied haematological and innate immune parameters were increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in chitosan‐fed groups in comparison with control. However, the group fed diet containing 10 g chitosan Kg^?1 feed showed highest haematological and innate immune parameters on 45^th day in comparison with other groups. Moreover, the fish fed the diet containing 10 g chitosan Kg^?1 feed had significantly higher post‐challenge survival (75.56 ± 4.44%) on the 30th day following V. anguillarum challenge. Therefore, this study suggests that chitosan at 10 g kg^?1 diet could be used as prophylactic in Asian seabass culture to enhance the protection against any possible infection by V. anguillarum.