TITLE:
A Microwave-Irradiated Streptococcus agalactiae Vaccine Provides Partial Protection against Experimental Challenge in Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus
AUTHORS:
David J. Pasnik, Joyce J. Evans, Phillip H. Klesius
KEYWORDS:
Vaccine, Streptococcus agalactiae, Microwave
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Vaccines,
Vol.4 No.4,
November
28,
2014
ABSTRACT: Microwave irradiation, as opposed to formalin exposure, has not routinely been used in the preparation of killed vaccines despite the advantages of decreased chemical toxicity, ability to kill cells quickly, ease of completion requiring only a standard microwave, and potential increased protein conservation during irradiation. We evaluated the potential of microwave irradiation versus formalin fixation of bacteria to improve Streptococcus agalactiae vaccine efficacy in 5 gr fish by intraperitoneal (IP) injection and bath immersion (BI). There was no significant difference in the cumulative percent mortality (CPM) post-challenge between fish administered microwave-killed cells (MKC) or formalin killed cells (FKC) within the BI (p S. agalactiae antibody activity. Thirty days after vaccination and just prior to challenge, the optical density (OD) levels of the FKC and MKC groups in the IP trials were significantly higher (p