Potency testing of a live, genetically attenuated vaccine for salmonids

Advances and Challenges in Aeromonas hydrophila Vaccine Development: Immunological Insights and Future Perspectives

Aeromonas hydrophila presents a significant threat to global aquaculture due to its ability to infect freshwater and marine fish species, leading to substantial economic losses. Effective mitigation methods are essential to address these challenges. Vaccination has emerged as a promising strategy to reduce A. hydrophila infections; however, it faces several obstacles, including variability in immune responses, pathogen diversity, and environmental factors affecting vaccine efficacy. To enhance vaccine performance, researchers focus on adjuvants to boost immune responses and develop multivalent vaccines targeting multiple A. hydrophila strains. Tailoring vaccines to specific environmental conditions and optimizing vaccination schedules can further address the challenges posed by pathogen diversity and variable immune responses. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the immunological hurdles associated with A. hydrophila vaccine development. Current vaccine types-live attenuated, inactivated, subunit, recombinant, and DNA-exhibit diverse mechanisms for stimulating innate and adaptive immunity, with varying levels of success. Key focus areas include the potential of advanced adjuvants and nanoparticle delivery systems to overcome existing barriers. The review also highlights the importance of understanding host-pathogen interactions in guiding the development of more targeted and effective immune responses in fish. Complementary approaches, such as immunostimulants, probiotics, and plant-based extracts, are explored as adjuncts to vaccination in aquaculture health management. Despite notable progress, challenges remain in translating laboratory innovations into scalable, cost-effective solutions for aquaculture. Future directions emphasize the integration of advanced genomic and proteomic tools to identify novel antigen candidates and the need for industry-wide collaborations to standardize vaccine production and delivery. Addressing these challenges can unlock the potential of innovative vaccine technologies to safeguard fish health and promote sustainable aquaculture practices globally.

Current State of Modern Biotechnological-Based Aeromonas hydrophila Vaccines for Aquaculture: A Systematic Review

This systematic review describes what “the cutting edge vaccines for Aeromonas hydrophila are”. The focus is on types of high tech biotechnological based vaccines, target gene or antigen in developing these vaccines, and challenge model fish species used in vaccines efficacy testing. Vaccines delivery methods, immune response, and their efficacy, adjuvant or carrier systems used, and the overall experimental setup or design of the vaccines under investigation are also described. The search for the original papers published between 2009 and 2018 was conducted in June of 2018, using the PubMed and Google scholar electronic database. Twenty-three (23/4386) studies were included in the final assembly using PRISMA guidelines (Protocol not registered). Recombinant protein vaccines were the highly experimented type of the modern biotechnological based vaccines identified in the selected studies (16/23; 70%). Outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of different β-barrels were shown to be a potential antigenic entity for A. hydrophila vaccines (57%). Intraperitoneal route with conventional carries or adjuvants was the highly applied delivery system while very few studies used herbal based vaccine adjuvants and nanomaterial as a vaccine carrier. Variation was observed in terms of protection levels in the selected studies. The experimental designs partly contributed to the observed variation. Therefore, recombinant vaccines that use new carrier system technologies and delivered through oral route in feeds would have been of great value for use in the prevention and control of A. hydrophila infections in fish. Despite the usefulness as academic tools to identify what is important in pathogenicity of the etiological agent to the host fish, these vaccines are only economically viable in very high-value animals. Therefore, if vaccination is a good option for A. hydrophila group, then simple autogenous vaccines based on accurate typing and evidence-based definition of the epidemiological unit for their use would be the most viable approach in terms of both efficacy and economic feasibility especially in low and middle-income countries (LMIC).

Cyprinid viral diseases and vaccine development

In the past decades, global freshwater fish production has been rapidly growing, while cyprinid takes the largest portion. Along with the rapid rise of novel forms of intensive aquaculture, increased global aquatic animal movement and various anthropogenic stress to aquatic ecosystems during the past century, freshwater fish farming industry encounter the emergence and breakout of many diseases, especially viral diseases. Because of the ability to safely and effectively prevent aquaculture diseases, vaccines have become the mainstream technology for prevention and control of aquatic diseases in the world. In this review, authors summarized six major cyprinid viral diseases, including koi herpesvirus disease (KHVD), spring viraemia of carp (SVC), grass carp hemorrhagic disease (GCHD), koi sleepy disease (KSD), carp pox disease (CPD) and herpesviral haematopoietic necrosis (HPHN). The present review described the characteristics of these diseases from epidemiology, pathology, etiology and diagnostics. Furthermore, the development of specific vaccines respective to these diseases is stated according to preparation methods and immunization approaches. It is hoped that the review could contribute to aquaculture in prevention and controlling of cyprinid viral diseases, and serve the healthy and sustainable development of aquaculture industry.

Construction of a Vibrio alginolyticus hopPmaJ (hop) mutant and evaluation of its potential as a live attenuated vaccine in orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides)

Vibrio alginolyticus, a bacterial pathogen in fish and humans, expresses a type III secretion system (T3SS) that is critical for pathogen virulence and disease development. However, little is known about the associated effectors (T3SEs) and their physiological role. In this study, the T3SE gene hopPmaJ (hop) was cloned from V. alginolyticus wild-type strain HY9901 and the mutant strain HY9901Δhop was constructed by the in-frame deletion method. The results showed that the deduced amino acid sequence of V. alginolyticus HopPmaJ shared 78-98% homology with other Vibrio spp. In addition, the HY9901Δhop mutant showed an attenuated swarming phenotype and a 2600-fold decrease in the virulence to grouper. However, the HY9901Δhop mutant showed no difference in morphology, growth, biofilm formation and ECPase activity. Finally, grouper vaccinated via intraperitoneal (IP) injection with HY9901Δhop induced a high antibody titer with a relative percent survival (RPS) value of 84% after challenging with the wild-type HY9901. Real-time PCR assays showed that vaccination with HY9901Δhop enhanced the expression of immune-related genes, including MHC-Iα, MHC-IIα, IgM, and IL-1β after vaccination, indicating that it is able to induce humoral and cell-mediated immune response in grouper. These results demonstrate that the HY9901Δhop mutant could be used as an effective live vaccine to combat V. alginolyticus in grouper.

Edwardsiella piscicida lacking the cyclic AMP receptor protein (Crp) is avirulent and immunogenic in fish

Edwardsiella piscicida is a Gram-negative pathogen that generally causes lethal septicemia in marine and freshwater fish. We generated a E. piscicida CK216 Δcrp mutant to investigate various biological roles related to this organism, including pathogenesis. Lack of Crp in CK216 was demonstrated by immunoblotting using a Crp-specific antibody. Compared to the parental strain, the mutant exhibited changes in three biochemical phenotypes, including ornithine decarboxylation, citrate utilization, and H₂S production. Complementation of crp deletion in trans rescued the phenotype of the parental strain. This study proved that hemolytic activity in E. piscicida is controlled by Crp. In addition, significantly reduced motility of E. piscicida CK216 was observed, which resulted from a lack of flagella synthesis. To examine the virulence in fish, E. piscicida cells were injected into the goldfish (Carassius auratus) via intraperitoneal route. The LD₅₀ of CK216 was 9.25 × 10⁸ CFU, while that of the CK108 parental strain was 9.24 × 10⁵ CFU, attenuated 1000 fold in goldfish. Fish immunized with CK216 elicited IgM responses. Moreover, 80% of goldfish immunized with 1 × 10⁶ CFU survived after administration of a lethal dose (1 × 10⁷ CFU) of virulent E. piscicida CK41, suggesting the potential for E. piscicida CK216 to serve as a live attenuated vaccine in aquaculture.

Identification of DLD, by immunoproteomic analysis and evaluation as a potential vaccine antigen against three Vibrio species in Epinephelus coioides

Vibrio spp. represent a serious threat to the culture of Epinephelus coioides (Orange-spotted Grouper) in Southeast Asia. In this study we used two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and Western blotting to identify common immunogenic proteins of Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio harveyi and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Membranes were probed with orange-spotted grouper anti-V. alginolyticus sera and accordingly 60, 58 and 48 immunogenic protein spots were detected. By matching analysis for the three Western blotting membranes, 6 cross immunogenic spots for the three Vibrio species were identified. They were Outer membrane protein W (OmpW), dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLD), succinate dehydrogenase flavoprotein subunit(SDHA), elongation factor Ts(Ts), peptide ABC transporter periplasmic peptide-binding protein and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase(PEPCK). One of the proteins, DLD, was used to evaluate the cross protective function for E. coioides with a bacterial immunization and challenge method. The relative percent survival rate of E. coioides against V. alginolyticus, V. harveyi and V. parahaemolyticus was 90%, 86% and 80%, respectively. This work may provide potential cross protective vaccine candidate antigens for three Vibrio species, and DLD may be considered as an effective cross-protective immunogen against three Vibrio species.

G-protein coupled receptor 18 (GPR18) in channel catfish: expression analysis and efficacy as immunostimulant against Aeromonas hydrophila infection

The objectives of this study were: 1) to determine the transcriptional profiles of G-protein coupled receptor 18 (GPR18) in channel catfish after infection with Aeromonas hydrophila compared to that in healthy catfish; 2) to determine whether over-expression of GPR18 in catfish gill cells will offer protection against infection of A. hydrophila; 3) to determine whether recombinant pcDNA-GPR18 could be used as an immunostimulant to protect channel catfish against A. hydrophila infection. Quantitative PCR revealed that the transcription levels of GPR18 in all tissues of infected catfish were significantly (P < 0.05) induced except in the intestine. When pcDNA3.2-vectored recombinant GPR18 was transfected in catfish gill cells G1B, the over-expression of pcDNA-GPR18 offered significant (P < 0.05) protection to G1B cells against A. hydrophila infection. When channel catfish were intraperitoneally injected with QCDCR adjuvant formulated pcDNA-GPR18 and challenged with a highly virulent A. hydrophila strain at 1-, 2-, 14-, and 28-days post treatment, pcDNA-GPR18 offered 50%, 100%, 57%, and 55% protection to channel catfish, respectively. Macrophages of fish treated with pcDNA-GPR18 produced significantly (P < 0.05) higher amounts of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide than that of fish treated with pcDNA vector alone. In addition, serum lysozyme activity of catfish injected with pcDNA-GPR18 was significantly (P < 0.08) increased. Taken together, our results suggest that pcDNA-GPR18 could be used as a novel immunostimulant to provide immediate protection to channel catfish against A. hydrophila infection.

Apolipoprotein A1 in channel catfish: transcriptional analysis, antimicrobial activity, and efficacy as plasmid DNA immunostimulant against Aeromonas hydrophila infection

The objectives of this study were to: 1) determine transcriptional profiles of apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) in collected channel catfish tissues after infection with Aeromonas hydrophila by bath immersion; 2) investigate whether recombinant channel catfish apolipoprotein A1 produced in Escherichia coli expression system possesses any antimicrobial activity against A. hydrophila; 3) evaulate whether recombinant channel catfish apolipoprotein A1 plasmid DNA could be used as immunostimulant to protect fish against A. hydrophila infection. Quantitative PCR revealed that the transcription levels of ApoA1 in infected catfish were significantly (P < 0.05) more induced in the anterior kidney. Recombinant apoA1 produced in E. coli expression system exhibited lytic activity against Gram-positive Micrococcus lysodeikticus and Gram-negative A. hydrophila. When pcDNA3.2-vectored recombinant apoA1 was transfected in channel catfish gill cells G1B, the over-expression of pcDNA-ApoA1 offered significant (P < 0.05) protection to G1B cells against A. hydrophila infection. When channel catfish were intraperitoneally injected with QCDCR adjuvant formulated pcDNA-ApoA1 and challenged with a highly virulent A. hydrophila strain AL-09-71 at two days post injection, pcDNA-ApoA1 injection offered 100% protection to channel catfish. Macrophages of fish injected with pcDNA-ApoA1 produced significantly (P < 0.05) higher amounts of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide than that of fish injected with pcDNA vector alone. Our results suggest that pcDNA-ApoA1 could be used as a novel immunostimulant to offer immediate protection to catfish against A. hydrophila infection.

Recombinant goose-type lysozyme in channel catfish: lysozyme activity and efficacy as plasmid DNA immunostimulant against Aeromonas hydrophila infection

The objectives of this study were: 1) to investigate whether recombinant channel catfish lysozyme-g (CC-Lys-g) produced in Escherichia coli expression system possesses any lysozyme activity; and 2) to evaluate whether channel catfish lysozyme-g plasmid DNA could be used as an immunostimulant to protect channel catfish against Aeromonas hydrophila infection. Recombinant CC-Lys-g produced in E. coli expression system exhibited significant (P < 0.05) lytic activity against Gram-positive Micrococcus lysodeikticus and Gram-negative A. hydrophila. When pcDNA3.2-vectored recombinant channel catfish lysozyme-g (pcDNA-Lys-g) was transfected in channel catfish gill cells G1B, the over-expression of pcDNA-Lys-g offered significant (P < 0.05) protection to G1B cells against A. hydrophila infection. When channel catfish were intraperitoneally injected with pcDNA-Lys-g along with an adjuvant QCDCR, the transcriptional level of Lys-g was significantly (P < 0.05) increased. When pcDNA-Lys-g injected fish was challenged with a highly virulent A. hydrophila strain AL-09-71, pcDNA-Lys-g offered 100% protection to channel catfish at two days post DNA injection. Macrophages of fish injected with pcDNA-Lys-g produced significantly (P < 0.05) higher amounts of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide than that of fish injected with pcDNA vector alone at two days post DNA injection. Taken together, our results suggest that pcDNA-Lys-g could be used as a novel immunostimulant to offer immediate protection to channel catfish against A. hydrophila infection.

Chicken-type lysozyme in channel catfish: expression analysis, lysozyme activity, and efficacy as immunostimulant against Aeromonas hydrophila infection

To understand whether chicken-type lysozyme (Lys-c) in channel catfish was induced by infection of Aeromonas hydrophila, the transcriptional levels of Lys-c in skin, gut, liver, spleen, posterior kidney, and blood cells in healthy channel catfish was compared to that in channel catfish infected with A. hydrophila by bath immersion. Quantitative PCR revealed that the transcription levels of Lys-c in infected catfish were significantly (P < 0.05) induced in all five tissues tested as well as in blood cells. Recombinant CC-Lys-c produced in Escherichia coli expression system (R-CC-Lys-c) exhibited significant (P < 0.05) lytic activity to Gram-positive Micrococcus lysodeikticus and Gram-negative A. hydrophila. When pcDNA3.2-vectored recombinant channel catfish lysozyme-c (pcDNA-Lys-c) was transfected in channel catfish gill cells G1B, the over-expression of pcDNA-Lys-c offered significant (P < 0.05) protection to G1B against A. hydrophila infection. When channel catfish were intraperitoneally injected with QCDCR adjuvant formulated pcDNA-Lys-c and challenged with a highly virulent A. hydrophila strain AL-09-71 at 1-, 2-, 14-, and 28-days post treatment, pcDNA-Lys-c offered 75%, 100%, 60%, and 77% protection to channel catfish, respectively. Macrophages of fish treated with pcDNA-Lys-c produced significantly (P < 0.05) higher amounts of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide than that of fish treated with pcDNA vector alone. Taken together, our results suggest that pcDNA-Lys-c could be used as a novel immunostimulant to protect channel catfish against A. hydrophila infection.

New tuberculosis drug development: targeting the shikimate pathway

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, yet no new drugs have been developed in the last 40 years.

OBJECTIVE

The exceedingly lengthy TB chemotherapy and the increasing emergence of drug resistance complicated by HIV co-infection call for the development of new TB drugs. These problems are further compounded by a poor understanding of the biology of persister bacteria.

METHODS

New molecular tools have offered insights into potential new drug targets, particularly the enzymes of the shikimate pathway, which is the focus of this review.

RESULTS/CONCLUSION

Shikimate pathway enzymes, especially shikimate kinase, may offer attractive targets for new TB drug and vaccine development.

Herpesviruses that infect fish

Herpesviruses are host specific pathogens that are widespread among vertebrates. Genome sequence data demonstrate that most herpesviruses of fish and amphibians are grouped together (family Alloherpesviridae) and are distantly related to herpesviruses of reptiles, birds and mammals (family Herpesviridae). Yet, many of the biological processes of members of the order Herpesvirales are similar. Among the conserved characteristics are the virion structure, replication process, the ability to establish long term latency and the manipulation of the host immune response. Many of the similar processes may be due to convergent evolution. This overview of identified herpesviruses of fish discusses the diseases that alloherpesviruses cause, the biology of these viruses and the host-pathogen interactions. Much of our knowledge on the biology of Alloherpesvirdae is derived from research with two species: Ictalurid herpesvirus 1 (channel catfish virus) and Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (koi herpesvirus).

Health considerations regarding horizontal transfer of microbial transgenes present in genetically modified crops

The potential effects of horizontal gene transfer on human health are an important item in the safety assessment of genetically modified organisms. Horizontal gene transfer from genetically modified crops to gut microflora most likely occurs with transgenes of microbial origin. The characteristics of microbial transgenes other than antibiotic-resistance genes in market-approved genetically modified crops are reviewed. These characteristics include the microbial source, natural function, function in genetically modified crops, natural prevalence, geographical distribution, similarity to other microbial genes, known horizontal transfer activity, selective conditions and environments for horizontally transferred genes, and potential contribution to pathogenicity and virulence in humans and animals. The assessment of this set of data for each of the microbial genes reviewed does not give rise to health concerns. We recommend including the above-mentioned items into the premarket safety assessment of genetically modified crops carrying transgenes other than those reviewed in the present study.

Streptococcus iniae M-like protein contributes to virulence in fish and is a target for live attenuated vaccine development

Background

Streptococcus iniae is a significant pathogen in finfish aquaculture, though knowledge of virulence determinants is lacking. Through pyrosequencing of the S. iniae genome we have identified two gene homologues to classical surface-anchored streptococcal virulence factors: M-like protein (simA) and C5a peptidase (scpI).

Methodology/Principal Findings

S. iniae possesses a Mga-like locus containing simA and a divergently transcribed putative mga-like regulatory gene, mgx. In contrast to the Mga locus of group A Streptococcus (GAS, S. pyogenes), scpI is located distally in the chromosome. Comparative sequence analysis of the Mgx locus revealed only one significant variant, a strain with an insertion frameshift mutation in simA and a deletion mutation in a region downstream of mgx, generating an ORF which may encode a second putative mga-like gene, mgx2. Allelic exchange mutagenesis of simA and scpI was employed to investigate the potential role of these genes in S. iniae virulence. Our hybrid striped bass (HSB) and zebrafish models of infection revealed that M-like protein contributes significantly to S. iniae pathogenesis whereas C5a peptidase-like protein does not. Further, in vitro cell-based analyses indicate that SiMA, like other M family proteins, contributes to cellular adherence and invasion and provides resistance to phagocytic killing. Attenuation in our virulence models was also observed in the S. iniae isolate possessing a natural simA mutation. Vaccination of HSB with the ΔsimA mutant provided 100% protection against subsequent challenge with a lethal dose of wild-type (WT) S. iniae after 1,400 degree days, and shows promise as a target for live attenuated vaccine development.

Conclusions/Significance

Analysis of M-like protein and C5a peptidase through allelic replacement revealed that M-like protein plays a significant role in S. iniae virulence, and the Mga-like locus, which may regulate expression of this gene, has an unusual arrangement. The M-like protein mutant created in this research holds promise as live-attenuated vaccine.

Characterization of a novel virus causing a lethal disease in carp and koi

Since 1998 a lethal disease of carp and ornamental koi (Cyprinus carpio) has afflicted fisheries in North America, Europe, and Asia, causing severe economic losses to the fish farming industry. This review summarizes the isolation and identification of the disease-causing agent and describes the currently known molecular characteristics of this newly isolated virus, distinguishing it from other known large DNA viruses. In addition, we summarize the clinical and histopathological manifestations of the disease. Providing information on the immune response to this virus and evaluating the available means of diagnosis and protection should help to reduce the damage induced by this disease. This review does not discuss the economic aspects of the disease or the debate on whether the disease should be registered; both of these issues were recently reviewed in detail (O. L. M. Haenen, K. Way, S. M. Bergmann, and E. Ariel, Bull. Eur. Assoc. Fish Pathol. 24:293-307, 2004; D. Pokorova, T. Vesely, V. Piackova, S. Reschova, and J. Hulova, Vet. Med. Czech. 50:139-147, 2005).

Streptococcus iniae phosphoglucomutase is a virulence factor and a target for vaccine development

Streptococcus iniae represents a major health and economic problem in fish species worldwide. Random Tn917 mutagenesis and high-throughput screening in a hybrid striped bass (HSB) model of meningoencephalitis identified attenuated S. iniae mutants. The Tn917 insertion in one mutant disrupted an S. iniae homologue of a phosphoglucomutase (pgm) gene. Electron microscopy revealed a decrease in capsule thickness and cell wall rigidity, with DeltaPGM mutant cells reaching sizes approximately 3-fold larger than those of the wild type (WT). The DeltaPGM mutant was cleared more rapidly in HSB blood and was more sensitive to killing by cationic antimicrobial peptides including moronecidin from HSB. In vivo, the DeltaPGM mutant was severely attenuated in HSB, as intraperitoneal challenge with 1,000 times the WT lethal dose produced only 2.5% mortality. Reintroduction of an intact copy of the S. iniae pgm gene on a plasmid vector restored antimicrobial peptide resistance and virulence to the DeltaPGM mutant. In analysis of the aborted infectious process, we found that DeltaPGM mutant organisms initially disseminated to the blood, brain, and spleen but were eliminated by 24 h without end organ damage. Ninety to 100% of fish injected with the DeltaPGM mutant and later challenged with a lethal dose of WT S. iniae survived. We conclude that the pgm gene is required for virulence in S. iniae, playing a role in normal cell wall morphology, surface capsule expression, and resistance to innate immune clearance mechanisms. An S. iniae DeltaPGM mutant is able to stimulate a protective immune response and may have value as a live attenuated vaccine for aquaculture.

Antigenicity of Streptococcus agalactiae extracellular products and vaccine efficacy

Streptococcus agalactiae is a major bacterial pathogen that is the cause of serious economic losses in many species of freshwater, marine and estuarine fish worldwide. A highly efficacious S. agalactiae vaccine was developed using extracellular products (ECP) and formalin-killed whole cells of S. agalactiae. The vaccine efficacy following storage of S. agalactiae ECP and formalin-killed S. agalactiae cells at 4 degrees C for 1 year was determined. The stored ECP containing S. agalactiae formalin-killed cells failed to prevent morbidity and mortality among the vaccinated fish, and the relative percentage survival was 29. Serum antibody responses of the stored ECP and freshly prepared ECP against soluble whole cell extract of S. agalactiae indicated that significantly less antibody was produced in fish immunized with stored ECP and S. agalactiae cells than in those fish immunized with freshly prepared ECP and S. agalactiae cells at day 31 post-vaccination. Silver staining of sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gels and immunostaining of Western blots with tilapia antiserum to S. agalactiae revealed that predominant 54 and 55 kDa bands were present in the freshly prepared ECP fraction. The 55 kDa band was absent from the stored ECP and new bands below 54 kDa appeared on the Western blot. The results of this study on S. agalactiae ECP provide evidence for a correlation between protection and antibody production to ECP and for the importance of the 55 kDa ECP antigen for vaccine efficacy.

A vaccine for tularaemia

Francisella tularensis is an intracellular pathogen with a very low infectious dose for humans. Several forms of tularaemia occur, which range from a severely debilitating to a fatal disease. Diagnosis is difficult due to the generalised, nonspecific nature of symptoms and the difficulty in culturing the slow-growing and nutritionally fastidious pathogen. A live attenuated vaccine strain (LVS) has been used in humans as an investigational new drug and does appear to induce a protective response. However, the licensing of this vaccine has not yet been possible. For this reason, modern molecular biology approaches are being used in an attempt to devise replacement vaccines which may be more easily licensed. The approaches which are currently being considered include the production of subunit vaccines and the development of defined isogenic attenuated mutant strains of F. tularensis.

Vaccination against bubonic and pneumonic plague

Yersinia pestis is the etiological agent of bubonic and pneumonic plague, diseases which have caused over 200 milllion human deaths in the past. Plague still occurs throughout the world today, though for reasons that are not fully understood pandemics of disease do not develop from these outbreaks. Antibiotic treatment of bubonic plague is usually effective, but pneumonic plague is difficult to treat and even with antibiotic therapy death often results. A killed whole cell plague vaccine has been used in the past, but recent studies in animals have shown that this vaccine offers poor protection against pneumonic disease. A live attenuated vaccine is also available. Whilst this vaccine is effective, it retains some virulence and in most countries it is not considered to be suitable for use in humans. We review here work to develop improved sub-unit and live attenuated vaccines against plague. A sub-unit vaccine based on the F1- and V-antigens is highly effective against both bubonic and pneumonic plague, when tested in animal models of disease. This vaccine has been used to explore the utility of different intranasal and oral delivery systems, based on the microencapsulation or Salmonella delivery of sub-units.

Sequencing of the Francisella tularensis strain Schu 4 genome reveals the shikimate and purine metabolic pathways, targets for the construction of a rationally attenuated auxotrophic vaccine

Francisella tularensis is the etiological agent of tularemia, a serious disease in several Northern hemisphere countries. The organism has fastidious growth requirements and is very poorly understood at the genetic and molecular levels. Given the lack of data on this organism, we undertook the sample sequencing of its genome. A random library of DNA fragments from a highly virulent strain (Schu 4) of F. tularensis was constructed and the nucleotide sequences of 13,904 cloned fragments were determined and assembled into 353 contigs. A total of 1.83 Mb of nucleotide sequence was obtained that had a G+C content of 33.2%. Genes located on plasmids pOM1 and pNFL10, which had been previously isolated from low virulence strains of F. tularensis, were absent but all of the other known F. tularensis genes were represented in the assembled data. F. tularensis Schu4 was able to grow in the absence of aromatic amino acids and orthologues of genes which could encode enzymes in the shikimate pathway in other bacteria were identified in the assembled data. Genes that could encode all of the enzymes in the purine biosynthetic and most of the en- zymes in the purine salvage pathways were also identified. This data will be used to develop defined rationally attenuated mutants of F. tularensis, which could be used as replacements for the existing genetically undefined live vaccine strain.

Recent developments in fish vaccinology

During the last 10 to 20 years vaccination has become established as an important method for prevention of infectious diseases in farmed fish, mainly salmonid species. So far, most commercial vaccines have been inactivated vaccines administered by injection or immersion. Bacterial infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria such as Vibrio sp., Aeromonas sp., and Yersinia sp. have been effectively controlled by vaccination. With furunculosis, the success is attributed to the use of injectable vaccines containing adjuvants. Vaccines against virus infections, including infectious pancreatic necrosis, have also been used in commercial fish farming. Vaccines against several other bacterial and viral infections have been studied and found to be technically feasible. Pasteurellosis, streptococcosis (lactococcosis) and infections with iridoviruses are candidate diseases for control by immunoprophylaxis in the near future. The overall positive effect of vaccination in farmed fish is reduced mortality. However, for the future of the fish farming industry it is also important that vaccination contributes to a sustainable biological production with negligible consumption of antibiotics. A potential side-effect associated with injectable vaccines is local reactions in the peritoneal cavity. The paper presents recent developments in immunoprophylaxis of fish and some problems that should be addressed by the research community in the years to come.