Innate cell-mediated immune response and peripheral leukocyte populations in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., to a live Cryptobia salmositica vaccine.

The effects of a live Cryptobia salmositica (Kinetoplastida) vaccine on the humoral and cellular immune response, and changes in the peripheral leukocyte populations of Salmo salar were investigated. The vaccine produced detectable parasitemia in the blood which peaked at 5 weeks post-vaccination (w.p.v). Antibodies were detectable at 4 w.p.v. and the antibody titer increased as parasitemia declined. Respiratory burst activity in vaccinated fish was significantly higher than in control fish; the highest activity occurred with rising parasitemia and lower activity with declining parasitemia. There was a significant increase in the proportion of granulocytes (to total leukocytes) at 4 w.p.v. At 6 w.p.v., the proportion of lymphocytes and monocytes increased significantly and remained elevated. These results demonstrate innate (respiratory burst activity and an increase in the proportion of granulocytes corresponding to rising parasitemia) and adaptive (antibody production and increases in the proportion of monocytes and lymphocytes corresponding to declining parasitemia) immune responses to the live vaccine.