ARS | Publication request: Field Evaluation of a Modified Live Flavobacterium columnare Vaccine in Trout at a North Carolina Hatchery

Submitted to: Aquaculture Miscellaneous Publications
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: July 30, 2008
Publication Date: July 29, 2008
Citation: Bebak, J.A., Shoemaker, C.A., Klesius, P.H. 2008. Field Evaluation of a Modified Live Flavobacterium columnare Vaccine in Trout at a North Carolina Hatchery[abstract]. Aquatic Animal Drug Approval Partnership Program. p. 8-9.

Technical Abstract: Vaccination may prevent infections in individuals, prevent clinical disease or death in individuals, prevent introduction of infectious agents into a population, reduce the level of clinical disease or death in a population, and/or prevent catastrophic outbreaks of disease in a population (while allowing an endemic disease situation). The purpose of this field trial is to evaluate the efficacy of the AQUAVAC-COL (Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health) vaccine when used to control columnaris disease outbreaks in trout. The AQUAVAC-COL modified live columnaris vaccine was developed at the USDA ARS Aquatic Animal Health Research Unit in Auburn, AL, and was commercialized by Intervet (now Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health). It has been approved by USDA APHIS as an aid in the prevention of columnaris disease in catfish due to Flavobacterium columnare infection and has been available to the catfish industry for about three years. Efficacy of this vaccine for the prevention of columnaris disease when used for trout has not been determined. In March, 2007, this vaccine was administered to trout fry at a North Carolina farm that experiences annual columnaris outbreaks. Brook and brown trout fry were vaccinated by immersion with AQUAVAC-COL or were sham-vaccinated. Fish were monitored throughout the summertime months, which is when columnaris disease normally occurs. However, no clinical signs of disease (e.g., mortality) that could be attributed to columnaris disease occurred. In January, 2008, additional cohorts of brook, brown and rainbow trout fry from the 2007 fall spawning were vaccinated or were sham-vaccinated. Mortality and growth rates are being monitored.