Project Number: 6420-32000-012-11
Project Type:

Start Date: Dec 01, 2003
End Date: Nov 30, 2005

Objective:
The objective of the cooperative research to be conducted under this agreement is the testing of a novel delivery strategy for the Streptococcus vaccine(s) that may be useful for cultured tilapia. Further, this delivery strategy may be applied to other bacterial pathogens of food fish cultured in the U.S., such as hybrid striped bass, sea bass, sea bream, yellowtail, rainbow trout, and to other fish species throughout the world. The commercial availability of such vaccines will benefit the aquaculture industry by reducing the impact of streptococcal disease, and reduce the use of antibiotics in aquaculture.

Approach:
The ARS developed Streptococcus vaccine will be incorporated into feed, using OralJect Technology, to produce a series of experimental serials of an orally administered vaccine. Aquarium trials of the vaccine serials will be conducted to evaluate the safety of the product, an immune response following oral delivery, and protecton against streptococcal disease. ARS developed and published methods for detection of antibodies to streptococcal antigens that will be used to evaluate the immune response to vaccination. Vaccinated tilapia will be challenged by exposure to S. iniae, to determine if acquired immunity was conferred, and if antibodies produced by vaccination were protective.

Project Team

Shoemaker, Craig Klesius, Phillip Evans, Joyce Grant Vandenberg - R&D; And Cso, PerOs Technologies 334-887-3741

Related National Programs

Aquaculture (106)