Vaccination against Diseases Caused by Flavobacteriaceae Species

In recent years, an increasing number of Flavobacteriaceae species have been associated with infections in fish. Still, diseases caused by Flavobacterium branchiophilum (bacterial gill disease), F. columnare (columnaris disease), F. psychrophilum (bacterial cold-water disease), and Tenacibaculum maritimum (tenacibaculosis) have been more extensively studied due to their significant economic impact on the aquaculture industry. So far, commercial vaccines have been made available only against columnaris disease, while protection against bacterial cold-water disease has relied on autogenous vaccines. In this chapter, the main focus is on immunization against diseases caused by Flavobacterium branchiophilum, F. columnare, F. psychrophilum, and Tenacibaculum maritimum. These microorganisms are infecting a large number of fish species worldwide, causing significant problems in both marine and freshwater aquaculture.