Enhanced antibody response in Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar L.) to Aeromonas salmonicida cell wall antigens using a bacterin containing β-1,3-M-Glucan as adjuvant

Abstract

The effect of β-1,3-M-Glucan on the production of antibodies reactive with Aeromonas salmonicida antigens i.e. whole bacteria (WB), outer membrane (OM) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was studied. The presence of the glucan adjuvant in the Aeromonas vaccine significantly enhanced the production of antibodies to all antigens tested, particularly to those reactive with LPS. Studies of antibody specificities also showed that glucan stimulated the production of protein reactive antibodies. In spite of high antibody levels in all vaccinated groups, results from challenge experiments showed that the salmon were not sufficiently protected against A. salmonicida infection as the relative percent survival did not exceed 54%.