Principles of Fish Immunology, From Cells and Molecules to Host Protection

This textbook provides a highly accessible and concise overview on the innate and adaptive immune systems in fish as well as on fundamentals and latest developments in fish vaccinology. It introduces the anatomy and molecular functions of immune organs and furthermore examines in detail the interactions between the host immune systems and different types of pathogens.

The textbook is essential reading for students in Veterinary/Fish Medicine, Aquaculture and Immunology. Furthermore, the volume serves as a quick reference for Fish Pathologists and Aquaculturists.

Chapter 2 is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

Professor Kurt Buchmann has been engaged in fish immunology and fish pathology since the early 1980s. He has supervised more than 25 Ph.D. students and more than 72 B.Sc. and M.Sc. students within the field. His publication record (SCI) counts more than 300 international peer reviewed papers which are basis of his h-index of 43. Professor Buchmann has contributed to several international textbooks on developmental and comparative immunology, evolution of the immune system and fish pathology.

Professor emeritus Chris Secombes has studied fish immunology for over 4 decades. He is Editor-in-Chief of the journal “Fish and Shellfish Immunology” and a past President of the International Society of Developmental and Comparative Immunology. In recognition of his contribution to the field he was awarded the Alexander Ninian Bruce prize from the Royal Society of Edinburgh for “his outstanding contribution to our understanding of the immune system of fish, particularly salmonids”. He established the Scottish Fish Immunology Research Centre which has been a driving force in European research collaborations in fish health. He has published over 500 international scientific publications, and has an h-index of 80.