title: Comparision of a serological potency assay for furunculosis vaccines (Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida) to intraperitoneal challenge in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.).
abstract: Batch potency testing of salmonid vaccines is mainly performed by in vivo challenge, which requires a lot of animals and causes severe pain. Due to the animal welfare concerns associated with in vivo immunization challenge tests, methods which could refine, reduce or replace (3Rs) these tests are needed. The aim of this study was to assess the use of serological assay (immunization & antibody estimation with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for batch potency testing of oil adjuvanted, inactivated commercial furunculosis vaccines. In total ten vaccines were included in the study: two commercial multi-component vaccines and two experimental single-component furunculosis vaccines with 5% and 20% antigen content (relative to the commercial vaccine), from two manufacturers. In addition two experimental single component vaccines based on A-layer positive and A-layer negative Aeromonas salmonicida respectively were included. Challenge and blood sampling were conducted 9 weeks post vaccination. There was a correlation between antibody response against A. salmonicida as measured by ELISA and protection in i.p. challenge. This study shows that the ELISA assay can be used for testing different vaccine formulations and can potentially replace in vivo challenge tests for batch potency testing of furunculosis vaccines.
authors.affiliation: PHARMAQ AS, Skogmo Industriområde, 7863 Overhalla, Norway.
authors.forename: Anne Berit
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Romstad
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 750, 0106 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Liv Jorun
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Reitan
authors.affiliation: Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, P.O. Box 8146 Dep, 0033 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Midtlyng
authors.affiliation: PHARMAQ Vietnam Co. Ltd., 58 Vo Van Tan, D 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet nam.
authors.forename: Kjersti
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gravningen
authors.affiliation: VESO Vikan, 7800 Namsos, Norway. Electronic address: anne-berit.romstad@pharmaq.no.
authors.forename: Vibeke
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Emilsen
authors.affiliation: Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, P.O. Box 8146 Dep, 0033 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Øystein
authors.initials: Ø
authors.lastname: Evensen
mesh_terms: D048409:Aeromonas salmonicida / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D005667:Furunculosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D012474:Salmon / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial
keywords: 3R; Aeromonas salmonicida; Atlantic salmon; Batch potency test; ELISA