Duration of protective immunity and antibody titres measured by ELISA after vaccination of rainbow trout, <i>Salmo gairdneri</i> Richardson, against vibriosis

Abstract

Abstract. The level of protective immunity in rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, following vaccination by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection or by direct immersion with Vibrio anguillarum was studied over a period of 46 weeks. Antibody titres to V. anguillarum O‐antigen were determined with ELISA at the time of each experimental infection to study the relation between specific antibody production and protective immunity. Both vaccination by i.p. injection and vaccination by direct immersion induced a high degree of protective immunity against vibriosis which lasted for at least 46 weeks. At each experimental infection, the proportions of seropositive fish were lower than the proportions of fish with protective immunity. However, seropositive individuals were found in both experimental groups throughout the study.