Renibacterium salmoninarum vaccine

Abstract

The invention provides an immune stimulating agent or vaccine directed to Renibacterium salmoninarium comprising a live non-virulent culture of an Arthrobacter strain based on derived from or substantially homologous with strain RSxII as deposited as ATCC 55921. The culture may be presented in lyophilised form with a sterile diluent.

1 - 23 . (canceled)  
     
     
         24 . A method of inducing an immune response in fish comprising 
 administering an effective immunizing dose of an  Arthrobacter  species to said fish.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising administering an adjuvant to said fish.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24  wherein said  Arthrobacter  species has a partial 16s DNA sequence that is similar to the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24  wherein said  Arthrobacter  species has one or more of the following characteristics selected from the group consisting of (a) positive gram stain, easily discolored; (b) nonmotile; (c) in log phase growth, the cells are between approximately 0.8 and 1.2 μm by between approximately 1.0 and 8.0 μm, are often V-shaped with clubbed end; (d) as the organism approaches stationary phase, the rods segment into small cocci of approximately 0.6 to 1.0 μm in diameter; (e) catalase reaction positive; (f) oxidase reaction positive; (g) are positive to enzymatic reactions with alkaline phosphates, butyrate esterase, caprylate esterase, leucine arylamidase, trypsin, acid phosphatase, β-glucuronidase, α-glucosidase, and α-mannosidase; (h) are negative to enzymatic reactions with myristate lipase, cystine arylamidase, chymostrypsin, phosphoamidase, α-galactosidase, β-glucosidase, N-acetyl-β-glucosamidase, and α-fucosidase; and (i) are weakly positive to enzymatic reactions with valine arylamidase and β-galactosidase.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24  wherein said  Arthrobacter  species has similar physical characteristics as  Arthrobacter  strain RSxII (ATCC Deposit Accession No ATCC 55921).  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 24  wherein said  Arthrobacter  species is  Arthrobacter  strain RSxII (ATCC Deposit Accession No ATCC 55921).