Scientists closing in on ways to boost immune mechanisms of mollusks
Farmed mollusks are threatened with a number of diseases, but given that — unlike vertebrates — animals like mussels and clams don’t have antibodies or T or B cells to fight infection, coming up with health interventions has often proved elusive.
Sound Science
Antibiotic resistance research sounds warning for Vietnamese freshwater aquaculture
High levels of antibiotic resistance have been found in samples of the bacterium Aeromonas hydrophila extracted from farmed freshwater fish as part of a study in Northern Vietnam, underlining the need for more responsible disease management practices in the region.
Screening work sheds new light on disease risks in northeast Pacific salmon farming
The use of cutting-edge technology has helped Canadian researchers carry out some of the most detailed screenings to date of pathogens affecting Atlantic salmon aquaculture.
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria found in US supermarket shrimp raise red flags
Analysis of raw and cooked shrimp bought from supermarkets in Florida and Georgia has revealed the presence of a range of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) — a finding that could have implications for processing of imported shrimp products.
Mycobacteriosis could prove growing problem in aquaculture
Intensification of aquaculture and domestication of wild species are leading to an increased prevalence of mycobacteriosis in farmed aquatic invertebrates, according to a review of the disease’s emergence by an international team of researchers.
Microplastics harbor pathogens affecting farmed seafood
There is growing evidence that microplastic pollution in seawater could serve as reservoirs for pathogens in aquaculture, according to a University of Exeter review of current evidence in this emerging field.
Taming tilapia lake virus requires improved expert collaboration
Tilapia lake virus (TiLV) is an emerging threat to aquaculture, having been discovered in 2014 and now reported in 16 countries.
China making up for lost time in aquatic vaccine development
China is now responsible for over 70% of global farmed-fish production. Finding appropriate responses to fish disease has not been as rapid, researchers from Huazhong Agricultural University acknowledged — but new options in development suggest that the nation is fast catching up.
Why prophylactic use of antibiotics poses a problem for aquaculture
Aquaculture needs to change its “widespread and unrestricted” use of prophylactic antibiotics and accelerate the move toward vaccination and more sanitary practices globally, according to Felipe C. Cabello, MD, professor emeritus of microbiology and immunology at New York Medical College.
