Chong, C.M. and Maha, A., 2014. Fish and Crustaceans: Immune System, Vaccine Development and Implications. Perspective of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Malaysia. Universiti Putra Malaysia Press, Selangor, pp.188-207.

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Introduction

Fish are phylogenetically the first animal phylum to evolve adaptive immune responses in their defensive mechanisms (Magnadottir, 2010). Fish are an extremely diverse group comprising jawless vertebrates (e.g. lampreys and hagfish), cartilaginous fishes (e.g. sharks and rays) and teleost/bony fishes. However, their immune system is viewed to be not as advanced compared to mammals.

Conversely, crustaceans are invertebrates lacking adaptive immunity with only innate immune system. Several interesting questions concerning modern evolutionary theory can be asked: How do these animals with relatively less advanced immune system survive in aquatic habitats laden with microbes which potentially expose them to infectious diseases? Recent studies showed that crustaceans previsously exposed to weakened microbes can develop enhanced immunity and react more effectively to subsequent challenges of the same pathogen (Rodríguez and Le Moullac, 2000; Witteveldt et al., 2004a; Witteveldt et al., 2004b; Johnson et al., 2008; Li et al., 2008; Rowley and Pope, 2011). How is this achieved in crustaceans without an adaptive immune system with immunological memory?

The bookchapter covers the differences in the defensive mechanisms of fish (with the emphasis on teleost fish) and crustaceans, in particular on the immune system with inference to the discussion on probable evolutionary reasons and the implications on vaccine development.

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