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Unravelling the menace: detection of antimicrobial resistance in aquaculture
Author(s) -
Preena P.G.,
Swaminathan T. Raja,
Rejish Kumar V.J.,
Bright Singh I.S.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
letters in applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.698
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1472-765X
pISSN - 0266-8254
DOI - 10.1111/lam.13292
Subject(s) - aquaculture , antibiotic resistance , microbiology and biotechnology , horizontal gene transfer , biology , antibiotics , mobile genetic elements , gene transfer , antimicrobial , risk analysis (engineering) , plasmid , business , gene , genetics , genome , fishery , fish <actinopterygii>
One of the major problems to be addressed in aquaculture is the prominence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The occurrence of bacterial infections in cultured fishes promotes the continuous use of antibiotics in aquaculture, which results in the selection of proliferated antibiotic‐resistant bacteria and increases the possibility of transfer to the whole environment through horizontal gene transfer. Hence, the accurate cultivation‐dependent and cultivation‐independent detection methods are very much crucial for the immediate and proper management of this menace. Antimicrobial resistance determinants carrying mobile genetic transfer elements such as transposons, plasmids, integrons and gene cassettes need to be specifically analysed through molecular detection techniques. The susceptibility of microbes to antibiotics should be tested at regular intervals along with various biochemical assays and conjugation studies so as to determine the extent of spread of AMR. Advanced omic‐based and bioinformatic tools can also be incorporated for understanding of genetic diversity. The present review focuses on different detection methods to unearth the complexity of AMR in aquaculture. This monitoring helps the authorities to curb the use of antibiotics, commencement of appropriate management measures and adequate substitute strategies in aquaculture. The long battle of AMR could be overcome by the sincere implementation of One Health approach. Significance and Impact of the Study The use of antibiotics and increased antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are of major concerns in aquaculture industry. This could result in global health risks through direct consumption of cultured fishes and dissemination of AMR to natural environment through horizontal gene transfer. Hence, timely detection of the antimicrobial‐resistant pathogens and continuous monitoring programmes are inevitable. Advanced microbiological, molecular biological and omic‐based tools can unravel the menace to a great extent. This will help the authorities to curb the use of antibiotics and implement appropriate management measures to overcome the threat.