• Animal cells and systems
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2007

Liposome-entrapped atypical Aeromonas hydrophila antigen was prepared to investigate the potential protective efficacy for A. hydrophila infection. Carp (Cyprinus carpio) were immunized orally with liposome-entrapped A. hydrophila antigen. After immunization, significantly more antigen-specific antibodies were detected in serum, intestinal mucus and bile than non-immunized control group. The immunized carp were then challenged by immersion with $1{\times}10^{6}$ cfu/ml of A. hyrdophila for 60 min. Of the eight non-immunized carp, three carp died (62.5% survival), whereas five out of six (83.5%) of the immunized survived. Furthermore, development of skin ulcers was significantly inhibited in carp immunized with liposomes containing A. hydrophila antigen. These results suggest that liposomes containing A. hydrophila antigen have a potential for induction of protective immune responses against atypical A. hydrophila infection and also suggest the possibility of developing a vaccine that may ultimately be used for prevention of fish diseases.