Investigation on protective effect of recombinant protein (OmpTS) of Aeromonas hydrophila in Common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

The outer membrane protein of Aeromonas hydrophila is a potential candidate for vaccine development. In this study, after cloning and expression of ompTS, 270 common carp, weighing 44 ± 5.7 g divided into five groups, were injected intraperitoneally twice with 3‐week intervals. Groups included the following: PBS, PBS plus Freund's adjuvant, recombinant protein, recombinant protein plus Freund's adjuvant and 20 fish as negative control. Two weeks after the second injection, 30 fish of each group were challenged with a dose of 2 × LD₅₀ of Aeromonas hydrophila and RPS was measured. The antibody level was measured using ELISA test. The protection of recombinant protein in the immunized fish with and without adjuvant, respectively, was about 82.61% and 78.26% (the protection of recombinant protein electroeluted from an SDS–PAGE with and without adjuvant, respectively, was about 78.62% and 69.57%). The average of antibody level in recombinant protein with and without adjuvant was significantly higher than the PBS group (p < .05). The ability of recombinant ompTS to increase the antibody level and to protect the fish from challenge by A. hydrophila demonstrated that recombinant ompTS protein injection can be used to immunize common carp against A. hydrophila infection.     

Genetic variations in survival of rohu carp (Labeo rohita, Hamilton) after Aeromonas hydrophila infection in challenge tests

A challenge test against Aeromonas hydrophila was conducted using 2062 rohu carp (Labeo rohita) fingerlings obtained from 52 dams and 87 sires (87 full-sib families) of two year-classes (2003 and 2004). Attempts to establish a cohabitant challenge model were not successful. Therefore, fish were challenged by intraperitoneal injection with A. hydrophila in two replicate tanks per year-class, and dead fish were collected hourly. The mortality reached its peak at 16–22 h after challenge and had almost completely stopped after 58 h. The test was terminated after 382 h at which the average survival was 43.9 and 48.9% in the two 2003 year-class tanks, and 77.1 and 35.8% in the two 2004 year-class tanks. Heritability estimates for survival were obtained from sire and dam threshold models (THR) and sire and dam linear repeatability models (LINR). For both types of models the heritability estimates based on data from single tanks were not consistent. For both year-classes, data from one of the two challenged tanks demonstrated significant additive genetic variation in survival during the A. hydrophila infection, whereas the heritability estimates were not significantly different from zero for the other tank. Further, genetic correlation between survivals in the two replicate tanks in each year-class was not significantly different from zero. The differential results from the replicate tanks demonstrate that additional challenge test experiments are needed before firm conclusions can be drawn about the magnitude of additive genetic variation for survival to aeromonasis in rohu carp. A cohabitant challenge model that allows the testing of important defence mechanisms in the skin and mucous membranes of the fish might have been more appropriate. To establish a valid cohabitant challenge model for rohu carp should be given high priority.     

草鱼miR-23a在嗜水气单胞菌感染过程中的调控机制

为探索嗜水气单胞菌感染后草鱼肾脏细胞(Ctenopharyngodon idella kidney,CIK)中miR-23a的调控机制,实验通过实时荧光定量PCR(qPCR)测定了嗜水气单胞菌感染CIK细胞后miR-23a的表达量变化,使用RNAhybrid软件预测miR-23a的靶基因并用双萤光素酶报告基因检测系统进...     

Resistance of genetically different common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., families against experimental bacterial challenge with Aeromonas hydrophila

The objective of this study was to determine the differences in disease resistance against artificial infection with Aeromonas hydrophila between genetically different common carp families. Four strains differing in their origin and breeding history were selected from the live gene bank of common carp maintained at the Research Institute for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Irrigation (HAKI, Szarvas, Hungary) to establish families with wide genetic background: Szarvas 15 (15), an inbred mirror line; Tata (T) scaly noble carp; Duna (D), a Hungarian wild carp and Amur (A), an East Asian wild carp. A diallele mating structure was used to allow the assessment of genetic variation within and between the tested 96 families for a variety of traits. The existing technologies of fertilization and incubation of carp eggs, as well as larval and fingerling rearing had been modified because of the large number of baseline populations. Two challenge trials of the 96 families of carp with Aeromonas hydrophila were done. The 10 most resistant and 10 most susceptible families to A. hydrophila were identified from these two challenges. The crosses that produced the most resistant families were mainly those having parents from Tata and Szarvas 15 domesticated strains, while the most susceptible families were from the wild strains Duna and Amur.     

Inhibitory activity of probiotic Enterococcus faecium MC13 against Aeromonashydrophila confers protection against hemorrhagic septicemia in common carp Cyprinuscarpio

The present study involved the control of Aeromonas hydrophila in Cyprinus carpio by bacteria Enterococcus faecium MC13 isolated from fish Mugil cephalus intestine. Antagonistic effects were confirmed against Aeromonas hydrophila by cross-streaking and the agar spot method. Probiotic effects of the isolate were confirmed by injection and oral administration to check for nonpathogenicity to fish. All the two probiotics were orally administered to fingerlings of Cyprinus carpio for 60 days through feed. The intestinal load of bacteria and NBT assay were analyzed on 7, 15, 30, and 60th day of treatment. Experimental fish were challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila on 30 and 60th day. The neutrophil activity was higher in E. faecium MC13 fed fish on day 60 (1.525 ± 0.379 OD). In respect of relative percentage survival (RPS), the higher protection of 75 and 77.8% was observed in E. faecium MC13 fed fish on 30 and 60th day of challenge with Aeromonas hydrophila This study identified the bacterial probiont MC13 (Enterococcus faecium) effectively controlled the Aeromonas hydrophila infection in Cyprinus carpio.     

Response of the intestinal mucosal barrier of carp (Cyprinus carpio) to a bacterial challenge by Aeromonas hydrophila intubation after feeding with β‐1,3/1,6‐glucan

The effect of dietary β‐glucan on the bacterial community in the gut of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) was examined after oral application of Aeromonas hydrophila. Carp received either feed supplemented with 1% MacroGard^®, a β‐1,3/1,6‐glucan, or a β‐glucan‐free diet. Fourteen days after feeding, half of the carp from each group were intubated with 10⁹ colony‐forming units (CFU) of a pathogenic strain of A. hydrophila. Gut samples were taken 12 hr to 7 days after application and analysed using microbiological and molecular biological techniques (NGS, RT‐PCR‐DGGE). The reaction of the mucosa and the microbiota to an A. hydrophila intubation differed in carp fed with β‐glucan compared to carp from the control group. In β‐glucan fed carp, the total bacterial amount was lower but the number of bacterial species was higher. Bacterial composition was different for carp from both treatment groups. The number of mucin filled goblet cells was reduced in carp fed the β‐glucan diet. Mucus was obviously released from the goblet cells and was probably washed out of the gut together with high numbers of bacteria. This might be protective against pathogenic bacteria and, therefore, feeding with β‐glucan may provide protection against infections of the gut in carp.     

肌醇对嗜水气单胞菌致生长期草鱼头肾和脾脏氧化损伤的保护作用

本实验探索了肌醇对嗜水气单胞菌致生长期草鱼头肾和脾脏氧化损伤的保护作用。实验选取平均体质量（221.83±0.84） g的草鱼540尾,随机分为6组,每组3个重复,分别饲喂含不同水平肌醇[27.0（基础饲料组,未添加肌醇）、137.9、286.8、438.6、587.7和737.3 mg/kg]的饲料10周。随后经腹腔注射嗜水气单胞菌进行14 d攻毒实验。结果显示,嗜水气单胞菌注射后,与基础饲料（未添加肌醇）组相比,饲料中适宜水平肌醇组生长期草鱼头肾和脾脏活性氧（ROS）、丙二醛（MDA）和蛋白质羰基（PC）含量显著降低,而超氧化物歧化酶（SOD/CuZn-SOD和MnSOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GPx/GPx1a、GPx1b、GPx4a和GPx4b）、谷胱甘肽S-转移酶（GST/GSTP1、GSTP2、GSTO1和GSTO2）和谷胱甘肽还原酶（GR）活性及mRNA水平,谷胱甘肽（GSH）含量显著提高。此外,饲料中适宜水平肌醇上调了嗜水气单胞菌注射后生长期草鱼头肾和脾脏核因子E2相关因子2（Nrf2）mRNA和蛋白水平,下调了Kelch样环氧氯丙烷相关蛋白1（Keap1）a和b mRNA水平。研究表明,饲料中适宜水平肌醇可激活鱼类头肾和脾脏Nrf2信号途径,提高其抗氧化能力,增强抵抗嗜水气单胞菌致头肾和脾脏氧化损伤的能力。此外,以嗜水气单胞菌注射后生长期草鱼头肾和脾脏ROS含量为标识,生长期草鱼肌醇需要量分别为452.1和449.0 mg/kg。     

Improvement of intestinal barrier,immunity, and meat quality in common carp infected by Aeromonas hydrophila using probiotics

The fish pathogen Aeromonas hydrophila causes gastrointestinal tract infections and hemorrhagic septicemia and represents a widespread risk in aquaculture. This study aimed to determine whether compound probiotics could improve the intestinal barrier, immunity, and meat quality of common carp infected by A. hydrophila by feeding them compound probiotics. Carp were assigned to one of four groups: (1) control (no infection, no probiotics); (2) control?+?probiotic; (3) A. hydrophila infected; and (4) the A. hydrophila?+?probiotic group. At the beginning of the experiment, the carp were injected with either saline (0.86%) or A. hydrophila (4.87?×?10⁷ CFU/mL). After 2 weeks of the feeding regime, results suggested that in A. hydrophila infected carp, dietary probiotics regulated the intestinal microflora as evidenced by a reduced abundance of Proteobacteria and increased amounts of Firmicutes and Fusobacteria in the intestine. In addition, dietary probiotics ameliorated both villus swelling and the decrease in villus height induced by A. hydrophila (P?<?0.05). Moreover, probiotics prevented the A. hydrophila-induced decline of Occludin, Claudin-1, and ZO-1 levels in the intestine (P?<?0.05). The addition of probiotics into the feed also increased acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), and lysozyme (LZM) activity in the serum (P?<?0.05), in comparison to the A. hydrophila group. Importantly, when compared to A. hydrophila-infected carp, compound probiotics alleviated the decrease in muscle nutrient quality (P?<?0.05). In summary, we show that dietary compound probiotics can prevent the impact of A. hydrophila infection on the intestinal function and disease resistance, while ensuring carp muscle quality.

     

草鱼miR-462通过靶向cx32.2、slc9a3.1和tbk1调控嗜水气单胞菌感染诱导的免疫应答

为探究miR-462在嗜水气单胞菌感染草鱼肾脏细胞(Ctenopharyngodon idella kideny,CIK)后的调控机制,实验利用荧光定量技术检测了CIK细胞感染嗜水气单胞菌后miR-462表达水平的变化;运用RNAhybrid软件预测miR-462的靶基因,利用双荧光素酶报告基因系统进行确定;此外还分析了miR-462对靶基因下游基因的调控作用。结果显示,在CIK细胞感染嗜水气单胞菌的过程中,miR-462的表达发生显著变化;cx32.2、slc9a3.1和tbk1的表达先降低后升高,与miR-462的表达模式呈负相关。双荧光素酶报告系统显示,miR-462可靶向cx32.2、slc9a3.1和tbk1的3′非编码区抑制其表达,过表达miR-462可以显著抑制cx32.2、slc9a3.1和tbk1的表达。转染miR-462模拟物后,下游slc4a4a、tnfrsf5、cxcl9和cxcl11基因的表达受到抑制。研究表明,miR-462参与调控嗜水气单胞菌感染后草鱼CIK细胞中的免疫应答。cx32.2、slc9a3.1和tbk1被鉴定为miR-462的靶基因。miR-462可通过靶向slc9a3.1和tbk1影响下游基因的功能。     

L-半胱氨酸提高嗜水气单胞菌对氟苯尼考的敏感性

抗菌药物的应用能对细菌感染性疾病进行有效地控制和治疗,但水产动物养殖中滥用和误用抗菌药物导致耐药细菌的产生、养殖水环境污染和养殖动物药物残留等一系列问题,应对和解决抗菌药物在水产动物养殖中的滥用问题已经刻不容缓。本研究通过抗菌药物杀菌、组织细菌清除、细菌攻毒、鱼体存活率统计和药物敏感性检测等方法,探究外源L-半胱氨酸添加对氟苯尼考杀菌作用的影响。体外杀菌结果显示,4.00 mmol/LL-半胱氨酸可使20.00～200.00μg/mL氟苯尼考对嗜水气单胞菌的杀菌效率提高1.9～11.1倍,其联合用药的杀菌作用具有剂量和时间依赖效应。组织细菌清除结果显示,相比单独使用氟苯尼考,L-半胱氨酸与氟苯尼考合剂对鱼体肝脏、脾脏和肾脏组织中嗜水气单胞菌的清除能力提高4～16倍。细菌攻毒后,采用注射和口服L-半胱氨酸或/和氟苯尼考进行治疗,结果发现L-半胱氨酸与氟苯尼考合剂可大幅提高黄河鲤对嗜水气单胞菌的抗感染能力。同时,单独添加L-半胱氨酸也能促进组织细菌的清除和鱼体的抗感染能力。细菌MIC测定结果显示,添加1.00～4.00 mmol/L L-半胱氨酸使嗜水气单胞菌对氟苯尼考的敏感性提高2～4倍。由此推测,L-半胱氨酸可能通过增强嗜水气单胞菌对氟苯尼考的敏感性,从而提高抗菌药物对鱼体细菌感染的防治效果。研究表明,L-半胱氨酸作为氟苯尼考的增效剂不仅可提高抗菌药物的防治效果,而且可大幅降低抗菌药物的使用量,对嗜水气单胞菌的防控具有一定的实际应用价值。     

Growth and immune response of giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man) postlarvae fed diets containing Chlorella vulgaris (Beijerinck)

A 50‐day growth trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Chlorella vulgaris (Beijerinck) as an ingredient in the diets of giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man) postlarvae (PL30). Immune response (total haemocyte count and prophenoloxidase activity) was also assessed by subjecting postlarvae to a challenge test against Aeromonas hydrophila (Chester) for 14 days. Iso‐nitrogenous and iso‐lipidic test diets were prepared using a fishmeal‐based‐positive control diet (D0) and four basal diets with inclusion levels of 2% (D2), 4% (D4), 6% (D6) and 8% (D8) C. vulgaris. Postlarvae of M. rosenbergii were randomly stocked (mean initial body weight of 0.19 ± 0.02 g) in 30‐L tanks in three replicates per dietary treatment for evaluation of growth performance. Another set of postlarvae (mean initial body weight of 1.25 ± 0.02 g) was randomly distributed in 95‐L tanks in three replicates per dietary treatment for the assessment of immune response. Results showed that specific growth rate was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in postlarvae fed D4 and D6. Variations in values for carcass protein, lipid, moisture and ash were also evident. Postlarvae fed diets with Chlorella showed increased prophenol oxidase activity and total haemocyte counts. Moreover, survival rate after challenge with A. hydrophila was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Inclusion of C. vulgaris in diets enhanced immune response and resistance of M. rosenbergii postlarvae against A. hydrophila infection.     

Immunogene expression in head kidney and spleen of common carp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis> L.) following thermal stress and challenge with Gram-negative bacterium, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aeromonas hydrophila</Emphasis>

To evaluate the effect of thermal and microbial stress on the immune response of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.), relative mRNA expression level of pro-inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-1β] and other genes related to immune or stress response [inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), superoxide dismutase one (SOD1), and glucocorticoid receptor (GR)] was measured by quantitative PCR (qPCR). In addition, total protein and total immunoglobulin level in blood plasma of experimental common carp was also assayed. All the above parameters were estimated 24 h post-challenge with Gram-negative bacterium, Aeromonas hydrophila. Common carp (54.89?±?6.90 g) were initially exposed to 20 °C (control group) and 30 °C (thermal stress group) water temperature for 30 days, followed by experimental challenge with 2.29?×?10⁸ colony forming unit/mL (CFU/mL; LD₅₀ dose) of A. hydrophila. Exposure of fish to thermal stress and subsequently challenge with A. hydrophila significantly (P?<?0.05) increases the IL-1β mRNA expression in head kidney and spleen of common carp by ~?39.94 and ~?4.11-fold, respectively. However, TNF-α mRNA expression in spleen decreased ~?5.63-fold in control fish challenged with A. hydrophila. Thermal stress and challenge with bacterium suppresses the iNOS and GR mRNA expression in spleen of common carp. Moreover, significant (P?<?0.05) increase in total protein content of blood plasma (~?43 mg/g) was evident in fish exposed to thermal stress and challenged with A. hydrophila. In conclusion, our study highlights the importance of elevated temperature stress and microbial infection in differential regulation of expression of several immunogenes in common carp.     

sodA、sodB和KatG在嗜水气单胞菌抗氧化胁迫中的协同作用

以嗜水气单胞菌野生株B11和基因稳定沉默株sodA-RNAi、sodB-RNAi和KatGRNAi为研究对象,比较野生株和沉默株在不同氧化胁迫条件下sodA,sodB和KatG表达的相关性及与细菌生长和存活的相关性,以探讨抗氧化胁迫基因在细菌抵御氧化胁迫过程中的作用和机制。结果显示,无氧化胁迫条件下sodA、sodB和KatG中任何一个基因被沉默后,其余两个基因的表达均受到显著抑制,说明这些抗氧化胁迫基因在表达上密切相关。在外源H2O2胁迫下,sodA、sodB和KatG中任何一个基因被沉默后,其他两个抗氧化胁迫基因的表达均表现为显著上调;在甲基紫晶(MV)诱导的内源性活性氧(ROS)胁迫下,各沉默株中sodA或sodB的表达水平总体表达为上调,但是在KatG的表达却呈现下调,说明sods的表达在细菌抵御内源性ROS的损伤中更具重要性。在H_2O_2胁迫下,随着H_2O_2浓度的增加,野生株B11的存活率仍然保持在较高的水平,而沉默株sodA-RNAi、sodB-RNAi和KatG-RNAi的存活率则显著降低;此外,菌株生长曲线显示,sodA、sodB和KatG的表达可影响嗜水气单胞菌生长曲线延滞期的长短。在不同浓度MV诱导的ROS胁迫下,野生株B11和沉默株KatG-RNAi的存活率仍然保持在较高的水平,沉默株sodA-RNAi和sodB-RNAi的存活率则显著降低,但4株菌仍然能保持一定的生长能力。研究表明,在不同氧化胁迫条件下,细菌可通过不同抗氧化胁迫基因的协同作用,共同抵御ROS的损伤,在H_2O_2的胁迫下,KatG对嗜水气单胞菌的生存更为重要,而在MV诱导的内源性ROS胁迫下,sod的表达对嗜水气单胞菌生存的贡献更为突出。     

Evaluation of commercial live bakers’ yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a growth and immunity promoter for Fry Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.) challenged in situ with Aeromonas hydrophila

This study was carried out to evaluate the use of commercial live bakers’ yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a growth and immunity promoter for Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.). Fish (0.33 g) were randomly distributed at 25 fish per 140-L aquarium and fed a diet containing 0.0, 0.25, 0.50, 1.0, 2.0, or 5.0 g yeast/kg diet for 12 weeks. After the 12-week experimental period, fish of each treatment were challenged by pathogenic Aeromonas hydrophila, which was given by interperitoneal (IP) injection and kept under observation for 10 days to record clinical signs and the daily mortality rate. The growth-promoting influences of bakers’ yeast were observed with fish and the optimum growth, feed utilization, and protein turn-over were obtained with 1.0–5.0 g yeast/kg diet. Also, yeast supplementation increased protein deposition in fish body. Biochemical parameters were improved in fish fed yeast up to 1.0 g/kg diet. Total fish mortality 10-days after IP injection with A. hydrophila and its count after incubation with fish serum decreased with the increase of yeast level in fish diets. However, the lowest fish mortality and bacterial counts were obtained in fish fed 5.0 g yeast/kg. These results indicate that bakers’ yeast supplement is promising as an alternative method to antibiotics for disease prevention in tilapia aquaculture, and the optimum level of live bakers’ yeast is about 1.0 g per kg diet.     

Effect of Ocimum sanctum Linn. (Tulsi) extract on the immunity and survival of Labeo rohita (Hamilton) infected with Aeromonas hydrophila

A 60 days study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of water extract of Ocimum sanctum Linn. leaf on the immune response and disease resistance of Labeo rohita fingerlings against the Aeromonas hydrophila infection. Ocimum sanctum extract was incorporated in the diets (at 0.0%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.5% and 1%) of Labeo rohita, rohu fingerlings (6.6 ± 0.013 g). After 42 days blood, plasma and serum were sampled to determine super oxide anion production, lysozyme activity, total immunoglobulin in plasma, blood glucose, serum total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin:globulin ratio, WBC, RBC, haemoglobin content. Fish were challenged with A. hydrophila after 42 days and mortalities were recorded over 18 days post infection. The results demonstrate enhanced super oxide anion production, lysozyme activity, total immunoglobulin in plasma, serum total protein, globulin, total RBC counts, total WBC counts and haemoglobin content (P < 0.05) in treatments group compared with control group. Dietary O. sanctum extracts of 0.2% showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher protection relative percentage survival (RPS 40.00 ± 5.773%) against A. hydrophila infection than control. These results indicate that O. sanctum leaf extract stimulates the immunity and makes L. rohita more resistant to bacterial infection (A. hydrophila).     

Dietary supplement of Enterococcus faecalis on digestive enzyme activities,short‐chain fatty acid production,immune system response and disease resistance of Javanese carp (Puntius gonionotus,Bleeker 1850)

This study investigated the effects of Enterococcus faecalis on digestive enzyme activities and short‐chain fatty acid production in fish intestine, resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila and humoral immunity response by 3 experiments on Javanes carp (Puntius gonionotus). The experiment 1 revealed that diet supplemented with E. faecalis significantly (P < 0.05) increased protease and lipase activities compared to control fed fish. Moreover, E. faecalis supplementation significantly enhanced the production of propionic and butyric acid in the intestine, while no significant difference (P > 0.05) in acetic acid production was observed. In the challenge study (experiment 2), fish were injected (intraperitoneal) with 10⁷ A. hydrophila per ml and survival was significantly improved when fish were fed diet supplemented with E. faecalis compared to control fish. In experiment 3, dietary E. faecalis affected immune system response as fish fed the probiont and exposed to 10⁶ A. hydrophila per ml displayed significantly elevated antibody levels compared to control fed fish. Fish fed diet supplemented with E. faecalis but not exposed to the pathogen revealed significantly higher antibody level than control fish (P < 0.05). Therefore, E. faecalis can be used as a probiotic in Javanese carp farming.     

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.     

An experimental vaccine against Aeromonas hydrophila can induce protection in rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)

A candidate vaccine against Aeromonas hydrophila in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, was developed using a bacterial lysate. To test the strength of protection, A. hydrophila challenge models were compared using injection into both the intraperitoneal (IP) cavity and the dorsal sinus (DS) with selected doses of live bacteria washed in saline or left untreated. Unlike the IP route, injection into the DS with either saline washed or unwashed cells resulted in consistent cumulative mortality and a dose response that could be used to establish a standard challenge having an LD₅₀ of approximately 3 × 10⁷ colony forming units per fish. Survivors of the challenge suffered significantly lower mortality upon re‐challenge than naïve fish, suggesting a high level of acquired resistance was elicited by infection. Passive immunization using serum from hyper‐immunized fish also resulted in significantly reduced mortality indicating protection can be transferred and that some portion of resistance may be antibody mediated. Vaccination of groups of rainbow trout with A. hydrophila lysate resulted in significant protection against a high challenge dose but only when injected along with Freund’s complete adjuvant. At a low challenge dose, mortality in all groups was low, but the bacterial lysate alone appeared to offer some protection.     

The in vitro efficacy of oxytetracycline against re‐isolated pathogenic Aeromonas hydrophila carrying the cytolytic enterotoxin gene through hybrid catfish,Clarias macrocephalus (Günther, 1864) × Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) in Thailand

Aeromonas hydrophila is a pathogen infecting farmed hybrid catfish, Clarias macrocephalus (Günther, 1864) × Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) which incurs substantial economic losses in Thailand. The study aimed at a genetic tracking of A. hydrophila infection and the in vitro assessment of the efficacy of antibiotics against its virulent strains. Five clinical strains from catfishes and Nile tilapia were employed. They were 3‐passage re‐isolated through healthy hybrid catfish and the cytolytic enterotoxin gene (AHCYTOEN) of individuals was traced. Each of the re‐isolates at a dose of ~6.67 × 10⁵ CFU/g was intraperitoneally injected into ~15 g‐healthy hybrid catfish and their pathogenicity were observed for 7 days. It was found that AHCYTOEN was carried over whereas typical signs of motile aeromonas septicaemia were found in the specimens. The bacterial strains of Nile tilapia origin did not induce mortality but those of catfish origins (80%–100% rate of mortality). The strains were susceptible to the tetracycline antibiotics, and oxytetracycline produced MIC₅₀ and MBC as low as 0.007–0.031 μg/ml and 1–8 μg/ml respectively. As oxytetracycline specifically inhibited pathogenic A. hydrophila in vitro, it is recommended that an appropriate dosage regimen of the drug should be established.     

Some clinical, microbiological and molecular characteristics of Aeromonas hydrophila isolated from various naturally infected fishes

Heat-stable cytotonic enterotoxin gene (Ast) was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of twenty isolates of Aeromonas hydrophila isolated from various naturally infected fishes collected from both fresh and brackish water. These fishes were Nile tilapia and meagre, mullet and sea bream, respectively. Antibiotic susceptibility, pathogenic characteristics of these isolates and histopathological alterations of liver from experimentally infected tilapia fish with A. hydrophila which contained Ast gene were investigated. PCR technique for the detection of Ast as specific gene for A. hydrophila genomes showed that 90% of tested A. hydrophila (18/20) contained Ast gene, which is specific for A. hydrophila (SSU).The in vitro susceptibility of 18 strains of A. hydrophila (SSU) to 9 antibiotics was evaluated. Oxytetracycline only was an effective antibiotic for all tested isolates. On contrast, all these isolates were resistant to amoxicillin, ampicillin and penicillin. Pathogenicity assay in this study proved that 33.3% of the tested A. hydrophila (6/18) were pathogenic for tilapia in vitro with various levels of virulence where 2/6 were classified as strongly virulent according to the severity of mortality rate. Microscopically, A. hydrophila toxins apparently cause irreparable systemic damage to liver which leads to death.