Immune response of carps (Cyprinus carpio L.) against dextran

In carps no antibodies could be evoked by immunization with soluble high molecular weight dextran using doses of 1-5000 mg dextran per kg body weight. On the other hand, an immune response against dextran could be elicited by immunization with a vaccine of Leuconostoc mesenteroides B512 as well as a dextran-BSA-conjugate. These carp anti-dextran antibodies showed precipitating and agglutinating activities with specificity against alpha linked dextran determined by the almost complete inhibition of the dextran-anti-dextran reaction by isomaltodecaose.