Antibiotic Resistance in Aquaculture: Environmental Dissemination, Ecological Consequences, and Sustainable Mitigation Strategies

Abstract

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing food production sectors globally, and has become an integral force in satisfying the world food requirement and in contributing to economic development. The fast expansion of aquaculture has however, increased the use of antibiotics to prevent, treat and promote growth, which has helped create a potential for the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Certain bacteria and genes (antibiotic resistance genes or ARGs) which are resistant to antibiotics have been discharged from aquaculture and become serious environmental contaminants capable of remaining in water, sediment, cultured organisms and ecosystems. They have the potential to spread, impacting aquatic biodiversity, ecosystem functions, animal health and public health via environmental exposures and food chains. New molecular surveillance studies show that there is now a better understanding of resistance dynamics and alternative disease management strategies, like vaccination and probiotics, improved biosecurity and antimicrobial stewardship can be employed to help reduce reliance on antibiotics. There are still major issues due to non-standardized survey techniques, geographical differences in regulation and a lack of long term ecological studies. The present narrative review aims to bring together the latest available information on the use of antibiotics in aquaculture, the mechanisms underlying the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, the potential for environmental spread, ecological and human health impacts, and new approaches for sustainable antimicrobial resistance mitigation. It also highlights research gaps and priorities for the future that will inform the development of sustainable aquaculture and reduce the global spread of antimicrobial resistance. The antimicrobial resistance is an emerging issue of the day, in relation to aquaculture, antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes, and the concept of One Health and sustainable aquaculture.