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Induced resistance to infection of lobsters Homarus americanus by Aerococcus viridans (var.) homari, the bacterium causing gaffkemia

2004; Inter-Research; Volume: 62; Linguagem: Inglês

10.3354/dao062197

1616-1580

JE Stewart, Arie B. Vaandrager, LJ Marks,

Crustacean biology and ecology

DAO Diseases of Aquatic Organisms Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsSpecials DAO 62:197-204 (2004) - doi:10.3354/dao062197 Induced resistance to infection of lobsters Homarus americanus by Aerococcus viridans (var.) homari, the bacterium causing gaffkemia James E. Stewart*, B. Arie, L. J. Marks Science Branch, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, PO Box 1006, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 4A2, Canada *Email: stewartje@mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca ABSTRACT: A vaccine composed of steam sterilized (autoclaved) cells of a virulent strain of Aerococcus viridans (var.) homari was effective in protecting lobsters Homarus americanus against gaffkemia. At 15°C the heat-killed vaccines (HKV) at concentrations between 1 and 5 × 107 particles kg–1 lobster body wt induced maximal protection in induction periods ranging from 7 to 11 d. Protection was substantial over the course of a 30 d post-induction trial period. Spring-caught lobsters (i.e. those more fully rehabilitated following ecdysis) gained more protection (LD50 = 1.9 × 104) from the vaccination than did those caught in the late fall-early winter period (lobsters that were not yet fully recovered from ecdysis) (LD50 = 3.2 × 103). The protection offered by the HK vaccine was comparable to that induced by a vaccine produced by incubating the pathogen with low concentrations (2 µg ml–1) of the antibiotic vancomycin. The bacterins produced by both methods exhibited similar new properties: (1) agglutination at low titres by lobster hemolymph serum, suggesting an impaired capsule layer, and (2) increased permeability to the large Alcian Blue molecule. With both vaccines, the protection may be a direct result of increased exposure to intact bacterial cell structures by the lobster defences, an exposure which otherwise would be prevented by an intact capsule. KEY WORDS: Lobsters · Homarus americanus · Aerococcus viridans (var.) homari · Gaffkemia · Vaccine · Induced resistance Full article in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in DAO Vol. 62, No. 3. Online publication date: December 13, 2004 Print ISSN: 0177-5103; Online ISSN: 1616-1580 Copyright © 2004 Inter-Research.