Immunisation of Indian major carps against Aeromonas hydrophila by intraperitoneal injection

The Indian major carps Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala were immunised against the potent bacterial fish pathogen, Aeromonas hydrophila by the intraperitoneal route, in field conditions. Two different polyvalent antigen preparations namely, whole cell and extracellular products (ECP) were used. Immunisation schedule consisting of a single booster dose given 28 days after priming resulted in a good agglutinating antibody response in the carps. Kinetics of the response were similar in the three carp species with both whole cell and ECP. Upon challenge with virulent strains, relative percent survival as high as 80-90% was recorded. Indian major carps are the most important freshwater species cultured in India and it is essential that they are protected against infections of A. hydrophila, a scourge of freshwater fish worldwide.