ia PADA LELE DUMBO (Clarias gariepinus) TEST OF ANTIGENICITY AND EFFICACY OF Aeromonas hydrophilia VACCINES IN AFRICAN CATFISH (Clarias gariepinus)

ABSTRACT: Study was conducted to select the best antigens (Ags) of Aeromonas hydrophila for, making monovalent and polyvalent vaccines. Few mice were injected intraperitonealy by 0.1 ml each of G, H and supernatant Ags_ The best Ag of every isolate was selected by rapid slide agglutination method. Monovalent and polyvalent vaccines were made, from selected Ags. The efficacy of vaccines was measured by immersion and oral vaccination methods in African catfish fry (Clarias gariepinus). Challenge was conducted by immersion method for 30 minutes. The results indicated that Ab titers of mice were selected since the first week after Ag injection and reached the peak\u27 between the second and the third week. Three isolates (PA 01, PA 05 and BA 02) had maximum Ab titer (8-10) from H Ag. Two other isolates (PA 06 and PA 07) from 0 Ag (8). The supernatant of all isolates reached maximum Ab titer between 6-8. The efficacy test showed that the mortality rates of vaccinated fry were significantly lower than that in unvaccinated fry (