Bacteriophage therapy as a bacterial control strategy in aquaculture

Abstract

Aquaculture is a sector of economic relevance worldwide. Bacterial infections have been recognized as an important limitation to aquaculture production and trade. Microbial infection in aquaculture derived products has been prevented by antibiotic administration with limited success. Recently, drug-resistant bacteria have become a global problem, urging for the prompt development of alternative control strategies in order to improve food quality and safety. The alternative approach of using lytic phages or their products, as bioagents for the treatment or prophylaxis of bacterial infectious diseases, has gained interest. This review intends to emphasize the need of further research in the field of the application of phage therapy in aquaculture and highlights the use of phages in invertebrates as an antimicrobial strategy pointing critical aspects from the economic, environmental and public health perspectives.