[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: Ich

At 11:47 AM 8/1/00 -0500, you wrote:
>Barry wrote:
> >>. It relates to immunity to and vaccination against Ich.
>
>In layman's terms (I hope), it seems to me that the research has 
>identified the protein molecule(s) that the fish's immune system binds to 
>as it fights off an ich infection.  This is the first stage in developing 
>a vacine, which would introduce the same or similar molecule to the fish 
>in a non-leathal dose to allow the fish to naturally build up antibodies.
>
>1. Is that correct?


Basically, yes. Once a protein that induces antibodies that are protective 
can be found, a vaccine can be developed, at least in theory.


>2. How would the vacine be delivered?  Within the DNA of a harmless bacteria?


An interesting question for fish. I am sure they will look for a vector of 
some kind that can be administered in the water.


>3. The article mentions that the imune system binding doesn't kill the 
>ich, just forces it to leave the body.  That would mean that the parasite 
>would still be viable within the tank, correct?  So traditional methods of 
>treatment, increasing temperature and chemicals, which are designed to 
>kill the organism at different stages in it's lifecycle, would still be 
>necessary to control the possibility of infection from within one's 
>fishroom. Right?  Otherwise non-vacinated fish, such as fry, may become hosts.

I can't say for sure. If the parasite is forced to leave its host early it 
may not be infective due to immaturity. Or you may be right in that other 
treatments of the water would be required to kill the free phase.

Barry

---------------
See http://www.aka.org/AKA/subkillietalk.html to unsubscribe
References: