July , 2023, Volume : 4 Article : 6
Employing Bacteriophages in Aquaculture to Eliminate Pathogenic Vibrios
Author : Sagar Vitthal Shinde, Pradnya Garud
ABSTRACT
The dissemination of antibiotic-resistant strains, such as Vibrio sp., and other pathogenic bacteria, poses a significant threat to both human and animal health, leading to detrimental impacts on aquaculture productivity. Vibrio sp., a prominent foodborne pathogen, not only endangers human well-being but also causes substantial economic losses within the aquaculture industry. Historically, the primary approach to address this issue has been the utilization of broad-spectrum antibiotics for both prophylactic and therapeutic purposes. However, this strategy has resulted in the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacterial strains in aquaculture settings, thereby emphasizing the critical necessity for alternative non-antibiotic-based interventions in the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections. In contrast to antibiotics, bacteriophages offer distinct advantages in terms of specificity and environmental compatibility, demonstrating promising efficacy in the regulation of harmful microorganisms within aquaculture systems. While previous studies have described bacteriophages, there is a dearth of research focusing on vibrio-specific phages, specifically phage cocktails designed to combat vibrio sp. infections. Nonetheless, the urgent challenges faced in aquaculture, including the prevalence of pathogenic bacteria, the rise of antimicrobial resistance, and the rejection of farmed products, have revitalized the application of phage therapy, commonly known as "Bacteriophage," in aquaculture settings. Phage therapy holds considerable potential for targeting pathogenic bacteria such as Vibrio, Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, and Flavobacterium, ultimately reducing fish mortality rates. Bacteriophages, which are viruses that selectively attach to target bacteria and induce bacterial death through the injection of genetic material, are currently undergoing intense research as highly effective alternatives to antibiotics. Consequently, this review aims to outline the utilization of bacteriophages in the eradication of Vibrio species, highlighting the advantages of phage therapy as a promising approach, discussing the limitations associated with its implementation, and presenting future perspectives for further exploration.
Keywords: Bacteriophage, Phage therapy, Vibrio, Multidrug resistance
Employing Bacteriophages in Aquaculture to Eliminate Pathogenic Vibrios_compressed.pdf
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