Evaluation of two outer membrane proteins, Aha1 and OmpW of Aeromonas hydrophila as vaccine candidate for common carp

Aeromonas hydrophila is an important fish pathogen responsible for huge economic losses in aquaculture sector. The bacterial outer membrane proteins (OMPs), especially adhesins play a key role in the virulence of the bacteria and are considered potential vaccine candidates. We evaluated the immunogenicity of two important outer membrane proteins namely Aha1 and OmpW of A. hydrophila. These proteins were over-expressed in Escherichia coli, purified and used for the vaccination of common carp. Sequence analysis predicted that, Aha1 and OmpW are adhesins and antigenic. Common carp immunized with recombinant Aha1 and OmpW proteins showed significant antibody production and a relative percentage survival of 52 and 71 respectively indicating their protective efficacy against A. hydrophila infection.