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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Bacteriophages as biocontrol agents in aquaculture

Son Tuan Le A B and İpek Kurtböke A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A University of the Sunshine Coast, School of Science and Engineering and the GeneCology Research Centre, Maroochydore DC, Qld 4558, Australia

B Research Institute for Marine Fisheries, 224 Le Lai, Ngo Quyen, Hai Phong 180000, Vietnam. Email: Tuan.Son.Le@research.usc.edu.au

C Email: IKurtbok@usc.edu.au

Microbiology Australia 40(1) 37-41 https://doi.org/10.1071/MA19003
Published: 27 February 2019

Abstract

Aquaculture production (inland and marine) has been increasing globally reaching 80.1 million metric tons in 2016. Simultaneously the utilisation of fish food per capita has also been risen reaching 20.0 kg per year in 2016. However, the growing industry also experiences problems including diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoans, helminths and parasitic crustaceans on valuable seafood products resulting in economic losses. Antimicrobial agents and chemical control strategies used to control such diseases are creating environmentally detrimental effects as well as encouraging development and dissemination of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Vaccine developments are costly and lengthy with application difficulties in farm settings. Accordingly, alternative therapies for controlling bacterial pathogens in aquaculture are gaining importance. One such measure is to use bacteriophages that are specific to disease causing bacteria.


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