Comparative efficacy of Bacillus probiotics and formalin-killed bacterin against Vibrio anguillarum in European eel elvers.

Scientific reports · 2026 · Benefit · Insufficient evidence

← Research stream

BenefitInsufficient evidencePaper 19

Study snapshot

PublicationScientific reports · 2026

Study typeanimal

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

This study evaluated and compared the effectiveness of Bacillus species probiotics and formalin-killed bacterin to control vibriosis caused by Vibrio anguillarium in European eel (Anguilla anguilla) elvers. Fish were allocated into four triplicate groups defined as follows: a control non-vaccinated (CON) group that fed on a basal diet without additives, two groups fed on diets supplied with Bacillus species probiotics (PRO; Sanolife PRO-F) in a dose of 0.5 g /kg diet (PRO-F1) and 1.0 g /kg diet (PRO-F2), and the fourth group was vaccinated with immersion formalin-killed bacterin and got a booster vaccination at 14th day (VACC). The experiment lasted for 28 days. In the end, the immune responses, including antibody titers, lysozyme activities (in serum and skin mucous), and bactericidal activity, were evaluated. The relative percent survival (RPS) after intraperitoneal challenge with V. anguillarium was calculated after an additional 10-day observation period. A one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett's multiple comparison test was used to compare the experimental groups (VACC, PRO-F1, and PRO-F2) with the CON group. The results revealed significantly higher antibody titers, lysozyme activities (in serum and skin mucous), and serum bactericidal activity in the VACC and PRO-treated groups over the CON group. Of interest, the lysozyme activities (in serum and skin mucous) and antibody titers were significantly higher in the VACC group over both PRO groups. After the experimental infection, it was noticed that both VACC and PRO significantly protected eel elvers against V. anguillarium compared to the CON group. In addition, the RPS were 41.67%, 29.17%, and 37.50% in the VACC, PRO-F1, and PRO-F2 groups, respectively. This study unveils the vital roles of PRO and VACC and their effective roles in enhancing innate and mucosal immunities and protecting European eel elvers against vibriosis caused by V. anguillarium. Based on our findings, immersion vaccination emerges as the superior strategy for managing vibriosis in eels. This approach offers greater protection than feed-based probiotics, underscoring its potential as a viable vaccination method in eel aquaculture.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal

Effect directionbenefit

PopulationEuropean eel (Anguilla anguilla) elvers

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposure28 days (plus 10-day post-challenge observation)

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Compared with control, both Bacillus probiotics (0.5 g/kg and 1.0 g/kg diet) and immersion formalin-killed bacterin vaccination increased measured immune responses and improved protection against V. anguillarium challenge. Immersion vaccination produced higher lysozyme activities and antibody titers than probiotic-fed groups; reported RPS was 41.67% (VACC), 29.17% (PRO-F1), and 37.50% (PRO-F2).

Outcomes measured

Antibody titers
Lysozyme activity (serum)
Lysozyme activity (skin mucous)
Serum bactericidal activity
Relative percent survival (RPS) after intraperitoneal challenge with Vibrio anguillarium

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract.
No EMF exposure or electromagnetic field-related outcomes described.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "28 days (plus 10-day post-challenge observation)"
  },
  "population": "European eel (Anguilla anguilla) elvers",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Antibody titers",
    "Lysozyme activity (serum)",
    "Lysozyme activity (skin mucous)",
    "Serum bactericidal activity",
    "Relative percent survival (RPS) after intraperitoneal challenge with Vibrio anguillarium"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Compared with control, both Bacillus probiotics (0.5 g/kg and 1.0 g/kg diet) and immersion formalin-killed bacterin vaccination increased measured immune responses and improved protection against V. anguillarium challenge. Immersion vaccination produced higher lysozyme activities and antibody titers than probiotic-fed groups; reported RPS was 41.67% (VACC), 29.17% (PRO-F1), and 37.50% (PRO-F2).",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract.",
    "No EMF exposure or electromagnetic field-related outcomes described."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "European eel",
    "Anguilla anguilla",
    "Bacillus probiotics",
    "formalin-killed bacterin",
    "immersion vaccination",
    "vibriosis",
    "Vibrio anguillarium",
    "innate immunity",
    "mucosal immunity",
    "relative percent survival"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-35298-8
PubMed: 41629546

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library