Assessing Antimicrobial Resistance in Aquafeed: A Holistic Screening and Monitoring Strategy
摘要
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in fish feed sources is becoming a major concern due to the potential spread of resistant microbes to humans through contaminated fish products. This jeopardizes the nutritional and economic viability of aquaculture systems, as it disrupts the efficacy of antimicrobials (AMs) and fosters the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant genes. The development and spread of AMR bacteria are influenced by several factors, such as the use of antibiotics in aquaculture, easy access to AMs, use of sub-therapeutic doses of AMs, discharge of effluents from aqua farms into the environment, inappropriate disposal of antibiotics, lack of awareness among farmers, and, to sum up, poor management practices. Therefore, it is important to establish proper screening and monitoring techniques to prevent the spread of AMR. This involves identifying the presence of AMR bacteria in feed samples, monitoring changes in the prevalence of AMR over time, and tracking the spread of AMR between different species. This insight enables us to improve feed production practices, guide the selection of alternative feed sources, and help mitigate the risk of AMR transmission. This chapter reviews the present knowledge on the types of feed sources, their potential for AMR transmission, and interspecies transmission pathways. Moreover, the chapter examines the different methods of screening and monitoring programs with possible challenges associated with their implementation.