Protection, immune responses and side effects in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L) vaccinated against furunculosis by different procedures

In an experimental trial lasting approximately 6 months, 10 different vaccination regimes against furunculosis were studied in Atlantic salmon presmolts. Single and repeated administration of vaccine by the intraperitoneal (i.p.), immersion or oral route, and revaccination by combinations of these methods, were tested. In challenge assays initiated 8 and 16 weeks after vaccination, fish injected once with a trivalent vaccine, and fish injected twice with a monovalent vaccine, both containing aluminium phosphate as adjuvant, were moderately protected. Non-injection vaccination protocols consistently failed to protect the fish. Compared with unvaccinated fish, protected groups showed elevated antibody responses to Aeromonas salmonicida antigens throughout the study. Increased in vitro proliferation of head kidney leucocytes from i.p. vaccinated fish was found 16 weeks after vaccination. The use of a polyvalent vaccine preparation, and revaccination by injection or the oral route improved both immune responses and survival, compared to a single inoculation of monovalent vaccine. In all groups subjected to i.p. administration of vaccine, minor to moderate intraperitoneal lesions were found. In conclusion, i.p. administration of adjuvanted vaccine, preferably in a polyvalent formulation, is the optimal method of inducing anti-furunculosis immunity in Atlantic salmon, and is apparently necessary for an effective immunoprophylaxis of salmonid fish against furunculosis. (C) 1996 Academic Press Limited