Fish farming generates billions of dollars of revenue, and
the culture of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) is the largest aquaculture
in the U.S. The most serious bacterial pathogens affecting this industry are
Edwardsiella ictaluri and Flavobacterium columnare. Losses due to these
pathogens are estimated to be $50-80 million, annually.
The current live vaccines against E. ictaluri and F.
columnare, consisting of rifampicin-resistant strains, are attenuated by unknown
genetic modifications and have only modest efficacy. Live recombinant vaccines,
which might protect against several diseases at low cost, have not yet been
designed for the aquaculture industry.
Researchers at the Biodesign Institute of Arizona State
University have developed an antibiotic-sensitive bath/oral live recombinant
attenuated Edwardsiella vaccine to prevent infections of Edwardsiella and F.
columnare in catfish. This could significantly reduce the costs of catfish
farming. In addition, the type of vaccine vector developed could be used against
other types of pathogens as well.
Potential Applications
- Vaccine development for fish farms against pathogens.
Benefits and Advantages
- Efficient vaccine against pathogens that cause big annual
loss in fish farming industry
- Potential to save $80 million per year
- Can be a vector to develop vaccines against other fish
pathogens
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For more information about the inventor(s) and their
research, please see
Dr.
Curtiss' directory webpage
Dr.
Curtiss' departmental webpage
