Introduction
Aeromonas veronii is a Gram-negative bacterium that poses a significant threat to sea bass aquaculture in the Mediterranean. This pathogen causes severe systemic infections, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates among farmed sea bass. The economic impact of these infections is substantial, affecting the profitability and sustainability of sea bass farming in the region.
Methods and Results
Field isolates of A. veronii, including both motile and non-motile strains, were collected from commercial sea bass farms in the Mediterranean. These isolates were characterized using a combination of biochemical methods, genotypic techniques (such as metG and gltA sequencing), and serological assays, providing valuable insights into their differences.
Based on these characterizations, experimental vaccines were developed and tested in pre-clinical laboratory trials. The trials involved vaccinating and challenging sea bass with different strains and recording clinical signs and mortality rates. The experimental vaccine candidates demonstrated rapid and effective protection against A. veronii, showing promising results for long-term immunity.
Conclusion
Developing an effective and long-lasting vaccine against A. veronii is essential for the sustainability of sea bass farming in the Mediterranean. Our pre-clinical laboratory trials have yielded promising results, identifying vaccine candidates that provide both rapid and extended protection against A. veronii. These findings highlight the potential of a future vaccine to significantly reduce the impact of A. veronii infections on sea bass aquaculture.
The pre-clinical studies were conducted in line with the “License to Carry out Research on Animals” granted to AquaBioTech Group by the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and animal rights, Animal welfare Department in Malta and in accordance with procedures approved by the Zoetis Animal Ethics Committee.