Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (1+1)

4.3.15. Conclusion

Recent advances in the field of molecular biology have profoundly affected the development of fish vaccines.

• Antigens obtained from many fish pathogens with the potential of being used for vaccine have been identified.
• Gene tically engineered vaccines have been increasingly employed against many of the fish pathogens.
• DNA vaccine, the most recent of all vaccines have been shown to be highly efficient against some fish viral diseases.
• Field scale efficacy study of some of these vaccines is being undertaken.
• Although great efforts have been carried out on the development of efficient vaccines against various fish pathogens, the delivery systems of the vaccine to fish is equally important. One has to make sure that the vaccine can be effectively delivered and it is suitable for intensive aquaculture in terms of cost effectiveness.
• So far, there is only one recombinant protein vaccine for commercial use in aquaculture, which is against the IPNV of trout.
• It is expected that some more genetically modified vaccines may be commercialized in the near future.