Emerging pathologies in aquaculture: effects on production and food safety

Infectious diseases represent a limiting factor for the further development of Italian aquaculture. The recent introduction and spreading of new pathogens, along with the global climatic change, has contributed to a considerable decrease in trout production. Emerging pathologies in rainbow trout culture include viral diseases, e.g. infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN), bacterial diseases, such as lactococcosis and visceral flavobacteriosis, and parasitical diseases, e.g. proliferative kidney disease (PKD). Higher mortality rates in trout fry and fingerlings are generally induced by visceral flavobacteriosis and IHN, while the main losses in large trout during the warm season are due to lactococcosis and PKD. Mariculture has at present a better sanitary status compared to trout culture, but a rapid dissemination of pathogens, including zoonosis agents, is envisaged also for seabass and seabream. Emerging pathologies in sea bass include VNN, pseudotuberculosis, streptococcosis and tuberculosis. Seabream is much more resistant and is mainly affected by novel Vibrio infections and enteromyxidiosis. A good sanitary management of fish farms is essential for avoiding or limiting losses caused by emerging pathologies. Transmission of zoonosis agents to man, through the consumption of cultured fish, is very remote in Italy. On the contrary, transmission of Streptococcus iniae, Vibrio vulnificus and Mycobacterium marinum by means of improper manipulation of infected fish, could represent a potential hazard for fish farmers and fish processors, as well as for people preparing fish meals.