Immunization with bacterial antigens: infections with motile aeromonads.

Motile aeromonads are a heterogeneous group of organisms which are involved in a number of disease syndromes of warm water fish. They are commonly associated with bacterial haemorrhagic septicaemia, infectious dropsy, red mouth disease, ulcerative conditions etc. A variety of factors has been considered to be associated with virulence including haemolysins, proteases, surface array protein, acetylcholinesterase etc. We have studied the immune response of Indian major carps to antigens of motile aeromonads. The Indian major carp, Labeo rohita, showed immunological memory and secondary response on booster administration. The extent of protection showed good correlation with titres of agglutinating antibody. When polyvalent vaccine was used, the fish showed antibody titres against all the component strains. However, the level of antibody was less compared to immunization by monovalent vaccines. Cross-reacting antibodies induced by monovalent vaccines showed varying degrees of protection.