Bacteriophage therapy in aquaculture: current status and future challenges

Area of Science:

• Aquaculture
• Microbiology
• Veterinary Medicine

Background:

• Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern in aquaculture, necessitating alternative disease control methods.
• Bacteriophage therapy presents a highly specific, efficient, and eco-friendly alternative to antibiotics.
• Phage therapy is increasingly explored for managing bacterial pathogens in aquatic environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current status of bacteriophage therapy in aquaculture.
• To analyze key parameters for effective phage application, including isolation, selection, dosage, and administration.
• To discuss strategies for enhancing efficacy, mitigating resistance, and assessing safety and economic viability.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and analysis of existing studies on phage therapy in aquaculture.
• Examination of phage isolation, characterization, and application methodologies.
• Evaluation of data on phage efficacy, resistance development, and safety assessments.

Main Results:

• Phage therapy effectively controls key aquaculture pathogens like Vibrio, Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, and Flavobacterium.
• Successful applications have been reported in reducing fish mortality and improving aquaculture sustainability.
• Key parameters for phage application (isolation, dosage, administration) significantly influence therapeutic outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Phage therapy is a viable and sustainable alternative to antibiotics in aquaculture.
• Optimizing phage application strategies and addressing phage resistance are crucial for widespread adoption.
• Further research is needed on phage-host interactions and long-term ecological impacts.