Bacterial diseases of tilapia, their zoonotic potential and risk of antimicrobial resistance

Abstract

Tilapia culture is an important source of income and nutrition to many rural families. Since 2000, the production of tilapia increased and reached domestic and global markets. Major farmed species is Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), in earthen ponds and cage cultures. Intensification contributed to global tilapia disease outbreaks, with bacterial infections causing mortalities and morbidities, threatening sustainable production. At tilapia farms, high nutrient concentrations, water temperature and fish densities enhance bacterial growth including virulent bacterial clones and potential zoonotic bacteria. Global warming favours this. This review respectively provides a comprehensive overview of the most common and emerging bacterial pathogens, diseases, clinical presentations and diagnostics of tilapia, including bacteria and diseases with zoonotic potential. First, common bacterial disease outbreaks, including streptococcosis, motile Aeromonas septicaemia, francisellosis, columnaris disease and vibriosis are described. Then, information on emerging bacterial infections of concern for tilapia, like edwardsiellosis through Edwardsiella ictaluri and E. tarda, as well as Aeromonas schubertii is provided. Reports of infectious bacterial tilapia disease outbreaks from other bacteria, including Lactococcus garvieae, Aerococcus viridans, Pseudomonas spp., Mycobacterium marinum and Chlamydia spp., and others are reviewed. Furthermore, bacteria with zoonotic potential, like Streptococcus agalactiae ST283, S. iniae, Aeromonas sp., E. tarda, Vibrio vulnificus pathovar (pv) piscis and M. marinum are included in the review, to provide the most current overview of the disease risks affecting production and post‐harvest stages. Additionally, the status and risks of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria from tilapia and other cultured fish through imprudent use of antibiotics, and its future at a global level are provided.

Safety, tolerability and biological responses of Oreochromis niloticus juveniles upon oral oxolinic acid administration

“…Quinolones are effective drugs to treat multiple types of infections in humans and are effective against a wide variety of fish pathogens (Haenen et al, 2023; Haugland et al, 2019). India is one of the top four countries with the highest antimicrobial consumption (Schar et al, 2020).…”

“…In 2020, aquaculture contributed a record 49.20% to the world's production of aquatic animals (FAO, 2022) and its production is hampered by the frequent occurrence of diseases (Haenen et al, 2023; Limbu et al, 2021). Disease control in aquaculture is achieved through solid management practices, using the few approved and commercially available medications and vaccines and infection prevention (Haenen et al, 2023; Limbu et al, 2021).…”

“…In 2020, aquaculture contributed a record 49.20% to the world's production of aquatic animals (FAO, 2022) and its production is hampered by the frequent occurrence of diseases (Haenen et al, 2023; Limbu et al, 2021). Disease control in aquaculture is achieved through solid management practices, using the few approved and commercially available medications and vaccines and infection prevention (Haenen et al, 2023; Limbu et al, 2021). Antibiotics used for treating and preventing bacterial diseases in aquaculture (Haenen et al, 2023; Patil et al, 2022; Schar et al, 2020) are typically supplied via medicated pellet feed, often following the manufacturer's recommendations and paying close attention to withdrawal periods, feeding rate and ration (USFDA, 2022).…”

“…Disease control in aquaculture is achieved through solid management practices, using the few approved and commercially available medications and vaccines and infection prevention (Haenen et al, 2023; Limbu et al, 2021). Antibiotics used for treating and preventing bacterial diseases in aquaculture (Haenen et al, 2023; Patil et al, 2022; Schar et al, 2020) are typically supplied via medicated pellet feed, often following the manufacturer's recommendations and paying close attention to withdrawal periods, feeding rate and ration (USFDA, 2022). Quinolones, tetracyclines, amphenicols and sulphonamides are the most commonly used class of antimicrobials in global aquaculture by frequency of use (Schar et al, 2020).…”

New Antibacterial Peptaibiotics against Plant and Fish Pathogens from the Deep-Sea-Derived Fungus Simplicillium obclavatum EIODSF 020

“…Agricultural pathogenic bacteria severely threaten the safety of agricultural production and cause huge economic losses. , For example, the fish streptococcosis , caused by Streptococcus agalactiae or Streptococcus iniae , as well as the plant bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum were widely distributed and difficult to control effectively until now. Thus, it is urgent to develop novel and efficient antibacterial agents to fight these devastating disease.…”