Interference of an ERM-vaccine with a VHS-DNA vaccine in rainbow trout

Simultaneous vaccination of fish against several diseases is often desirable in order to minimise cost and handling of the fish. Intramuscular DNA-vaccination of rainbow trout against viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) has proved to provide very good protection. However, preliminary results showed that intraperitoneal injection of a commercial vaccine against Enteric Redmouth Disease (ERM) based on formalin-killed bacteria in oil adjuvant immediately followed by intramuscular injection of an experimental DNA-vaccine against VHSV, decreased the protective effect of the DNA-vaccine against challenge with VHSV 11 weeks post vaccination (pv).

This experiment was performed with rainbow trout of 30 g injected with 0.5 g VHS-DNA vaccine. The experiment was later repeated with smaller fish (2.5g) and using two different doses of DNA-vaccine, 1 g and 0.05 g. Both doses provided good protection in the control groups not given the ERM vaccine.

But among fish given both vaccines, those vaccinated with the lower DNA dose had significantly higher mortality when challenged with VHSV 9 weeks pv. When challenged with VHSV 8 days pv, not even the 1 µg DNA dose protected such fish. A plasmid dose of 0.05 g VHSV DNA vaccine would normally induce good protection in small fish (2-3 g).

To ensure complete protection in larger fish, higher doses are needed. This could explain the negative effect of ERM vaccination observed in the 30 g fish described above. It thus appears, that if the fish are vaccinated with a VHS-DNA vaccine dose according to their size, a simultaneous intraperitoneal vaccination against ERM can compromise the protective effect of the DNA-vaccine.

The negative effect appears to be strongest in the early phase following vaccination. The immune mechanisms behind this interference will be discussed.