Comparison of whole-cell antigens of pressure- and formalin-killed Flexibacter columnaris from channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

Abstract

Pressure- and formalin-killed F columnaris whole-cell lysates share 100-, 80-, 66-, and 60-kd proteins and are recognized by antibodies from naturally infected catfish and those vaccinated with formalin-killed F columnaris. Formalin treatment modifies or inactivates the 60-kd protein antigens, rendering them unrecognizable to antibodies from channel catfish naturally infected with F columnaris, suggesting that formalin-killed F columnaris may not be suitable for use as a bacterin against columnaris disease.