INFLUENCE OF THE SEQUENCE OF ADMINISTRATION OF BETA-GLUCANS AND A VIBRIO-DAMSELA VACCINE ON THE IMMUNE-RESPONSE OF TURBOT (SCOPHTHALMUS-MAXIMUS L.)

Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisae) beta-1,3 glucans were used as adjuvant in a Vibrio damsela vaccine for turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.). Tur bot were injected with the adjuvant prior, at the same time and after the vaccine. Several immune parameters (inder and rate of phagocytosis , passive haemolytic plaque numbers, and agglutinating antibody titers ) were determined at different times postinoculation. The highest acti vity of all the immune parameters was obtained when glucans were injec ted after the bacterin. It is concluded that the sequence of glucan ad ministration is critical when used as a vaccine adjuvant. (C) 1998 Els evier Science B.V. All rights reserved.