Occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes in culturable bacteria isolated from Turkish trout farms and their local aquatic environment

Probiotic Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B-1895 Improved Growth of Juvenile Trout

The aim of this study was to evaluate a new Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B-1895 probiotic as a feed additive for farmed trout. Final weight, absolute and average daily gain of fish, and average daily growth rate were higher in the group that received the probiotic than in the control group (p<0.05). Moreover, the probiotic-fed trout had more intense growth rates than the control group (higher by 15.7%; p<0.05). A decrease in feed ratio was also observed in the group that received probiotic (25% decrease; p<0.05), indicating more efficient digestion and assimilation of feed. In general, the introduction of probiotic in the feed did not adversely affect the functional status of the fish. In young trout of the control group, when assessing the general chemical composition of the organism in the muscle tissue revealed significantly (p≤0.001) higher level of moisture content by 5.1% and lower by 11.0% dry matter content. In muscle, the protein content was higher by 1.33% (p≤0.001) and fat content by 2.1% (p≤0.001) in experimental fish. Generally, Lactobacilli, Enterococcus, Vibrio, Bacillus, and coliform bacteria were found in the intestinal samples of rainbow trout. Significant reliable difference (p≤0.05) between the samples of experimental and control groups was noted in the content of Bacillus bacteria. In the control group, 5.0±0.4×103 CFU/g was detected, while in the experimental group 8.4±0.8×104 CFU/g. Overall, the data indicate that probiotic bacteria B. amyloliquefaciens B-1895 has no adverse effect on selected microorganisms in the study fish.

Pharmacokinetic behaviour and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic integration of doxycycline in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) after intravascular, intramuscular and oral administrations

OBJECTIVE

Doxycycline (DO) has been used in fish for a long time, but there are some factors that have not yet been clarified regarding its pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) properties. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the PK and PK/PD targets of DO after 20 mg/kg intravascular (IV), intramuscular (IM) and oral (OR) gavage administration in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

METHODS

Plasma samples were collected at specific time points and subsequently analysed by HPLC-ultraviolet. The PK/PD indices were calculated based on the MIC90 (Aeromonas hydrophila and Aeromonas sobria) values obtained for the respective bacteria and the PK parameters obtained for DO following both IM and OR administration.

RESULTS

After IV administration, the elimination half-life (t1/2 ʎz), area under the concentration vs. time curve (AUC), apparent volume of distribution at steady-state and total body clearance of DO were 34.81 h, 723.82 h µg/mL, 1.24 L/kg and 0.03 L/kg/h, respectively. The t1/2λz of the DO was found to be 37.39 and 39.78 h after IM, and OR administration, respectively. The bioavailability was calculated 57.02% and 32.29%, respectively, after IM and OR administration. The MIC90 of DO against A. hydrophila and A. sobria was 4 µg/mL. The PK/PD integration showed that DO (20 mg/kg dose) for A. hydrophila and A. sobria with MIC90 ≤4 µg/mL achieved target AUC/MIC value after IM administration.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that when rainbow trout was treated with 20 mg/kg IV and IM administered DO, therapeutically effective concentrations were reached in the control of infections caused by A. hydrophila and A. sobria.

An update on the prevalence of colistin and carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria in aquaculture: an emerging threat to public health

Aquaculture has been recognized as a hotspot for the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance genes conferring resistance to clinically important antibiotics. This review gives insights into studies investigating the prevalence of colistin and carbapenem resistance (CCR) among Gram-negative bacilli in aquaculture. Overall, a high incidence of CCR has been reported in aquatic farms in several countries, with CCR being more prevalent among opportunistic human pathogens such as Acinetobacter nosocomialis, Shewanella algae, Photobacterium damselae, Vibrio spp., Aeromonas spp., as well as members of Enterobacteriaceae family. A high proportion of isolates in these studies exhibited wide-spectrum profiles of antimicrobial resistance, highlighting their multidrug-resistance properties (MDR). Several mobile colistin resistance genes (including, mcr-1, mcr-1.1, mcr-2, mcr-2.1, mcr-3, mcr-3.1, mcr-4.1, mcr-4.3, mcr-5.1, mcr-6.1, mcr-7.1, mcr-8.1, and mcr-10.1) and carbapenemase encoding genes (including, blaOXA-48, blaOXA-55, blaNDM, blaKPC, blaIMI, blaAIM, blaVIM, and blaIMP) have been detected in aquatic farms in different countries. The majority of these were carried on MDR Incompatibility (Inc) plasmids including IncA/C, and IncX4, which have been associated with a wide host range of different sources. Thus, there is a risk for the possible spread of resistance genes between fish, their environments, and humans. These findings highlight the need to monitor and regulate the usage of antimicrobials in aquaculture. A multisectoral and transdisciplinary (One Health) approach is urgently needed to reduce the spread of resistant bacteria and/or resistance genes originating in aquaculture and avoid their global reach.

A review of bacterial disease outbreaks in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) reported from 2010 to 2022

Outbreaks of bacterial infections in aquaculture have emerged as significant threats to the sustainable production of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) worldwide. Understanding the dynamics of these outbreaks and the bacteria involved is crucial for implementing effective management strategies. This comprehensive review presents an update on outbreaks of bacteria isolated from rainbow trout reported between 2010 and 2022. A systematic literature survey was conducted to identify relevant studies reporting bacterial outbreaks in rainbow trout during the specified time frame. More than 150 published studies in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar and relevant databases met the inclusion criteria, encompassing diverse geographical regions and aquaculture systems. The main bacterial pathogens implicated in the outbreaks belong to both gram-negative, namely Chryseobacterium, Citrobacter, Deefgea Flavobacterium, Janthinobacterium, Plesiomonas, Pseudomonas, Shewanella, and gram-positive genera, including Lactococcus and Weissella, and comprise 36 new emerging species that are presented by means of pathogenicity and disturbance worldwide. We highlight the main characteristics of species to shed light on potential challenges in treatment strategies. Moreover, we investigate the role of various risk factors in the outbreaks, such as environmental conditions, fish density, water quality, and stressors that potentially cause outbreaks of these species. Insights into the temporal and spatial patterns of bacterial outbreaks in rainbow trout aquaculture are provided. Furthermore, the implications of these findings for developing sustainable and targeted disease prevention and control measures are discussed. The presented study serves as a comprehensive update on the state of bacterial outbreaks in rainbow trout aquaculture, emphasizing the importance of continued surveillance and research to sustain the health and productivity of this economically valuable species.

An overview of plasmid transfer in the plant microbiome

Plant microbiomes are pivotal for healthy plant physiological development. Microbes live in complex co-association with plant hosts, and interactions within these microbial communities vary with plant genotype, plant compartment, phenological stage, and soil properties, among others. Plant microbiomes also harbor a substantial and diverse pool of mobile genes encoded on plasmids. Several plasmid functions attributed to plant-associated bacteria are relatively poorly understood. Additionally, the role of plasmids in disseminating genetic traits within plant compartments is not well known. Here, we present the current knowledge on the occurrence, diversity, function, and transfer of plasmids in plant microbiomes, emphasizing the factors that could modulate gene transfer in-planta. We also describe the role of the plant microbiome as a plasmid reservoir and the dissemination of its genetic material. We include a brief discussion on the current methodological limitations in studying plasmid transfer within plant microbiomes. This information could be useful to elucidate the dynamics of the bacterial gene pools, the adaptations different organisms have made, and variations in bacterial populations that might have never been described before, particularly in complex microbial communities associated with plants in natural and anthropogenic impacted environments.

Diversity of enterobacterales in sediments of lagoons with fish farming activity and analysis of antibiotic resistance

The use of antibiotics in fish production can induce bacterial populations to develop resistance to multiple antibiotics and transfer antibiotic resistance genes to other bacteria, including clinically relevant bacteria. This study evaluated the diversity of Enterobacterales in sediment from lagoons with fish farming activity and analyzed antibiotic resistance in the central region of Peru. Sediment samples were collected from four fish-active ponds and transported to the laboratory for analysis. Bacterial diversity was analyzed using DNA sequencing and antibiotic resistance was tested using the disk diffusion method. The results showed variability of bacterial diversity in the ponds with fish farming activity. Simpson's index indicated that the Habascocha lagoon is the most diverse in bacterial species of the order Enterobacterales (0.8), but the least dominant. The Shannon-Wiener index revealed that it is the most diverse (2.93) and the Margalef index revealed that species richness in this lagoon is high (5.72). Similarity percentage analysis (SIMPER) allowed the identification of the main Enterobacterales with the highest percentage contribution in the frequencies of individuals. In general, the Enterobacterales species isolated showed multi-resistance to the antibiotics used and Escherichia coli was the most resistant.

Effect of dietary celery (Apium graveolens) on the growth performance, immune responses, and bacterial resistance against Vibrio anguillarum of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

In this study, we evaluated to reveal the effects of aqueous methanolic extract of celery (Apium graveolens) on the growth performance, immune responses, and resistance against Vibrio anguillarum in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax). For this purpose, twenty fish (initial mean weight of 4.80 ± 0.06 g) were placed into twelve tanks (400 L) in triplicate and fish were fed with control (C) and three different levels (0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 g/kg) of A. graveolens (AG) extract-containing diets (AG0.01, AG0.05, and AG0.1) for 30 days. Blood and tissue (kidney, spleen, and intestine) samples were taken from the fish every 10 days during the study to determine the immune responses of the fish. Respiratory burst activity (RBA) was significantly decreased in the AG0.1 group compared to all other groups on the 10th day of the study (P < 0.05). Significance was noticed in the RBA of fish in all AG groups compared to the C group (P < 0.05) on the 30th day of the experiment Lysozyme activity (LYS) was raised on the 10th day of the study in all celery groups compared to the C group (P < 0.05). No differences in the myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) were observed among the experimental groups (P > 0.05). The final mean weight (FMW) was not affected in any experimental groups (P > 0.05). However, in the AG0.05 group, the specific growth rate (SGR) increased, and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) decreased compared to other groups (P < 0.05). IL-1β in the kidney was highly elevated in the AG0.01 group on the 20th day of the study (P < 0.05). Similar results were observed on IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α expression in the kidney (P < 0.05). Anti-inflammatory responses (IL-10 and TGF-β) also increased in all experimental groups and tissues compared to the C group (P < 0.05). COX-2 was upregulated on the 20th day of the study in all tissues (P < 0.05). At the end of the feeding trial, the survival rate of the AG0.1 group in fish infected with Vibrio anguillarum infection was higher than the C group. Dietary celery extract did not affect growth performance directly but increased innate immune responses and a high survival rate. Overall, compared to the control group, the growth, immunity, and resistance of European seabass fed with a diet containing 0.05 g/kg celery aqueous methanolic extract has been improved, and this could be used as an immunostimulant feed additive.

Prevalence of Plasmid-Associated Tetracycline Resistance Genes in Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Environmental, Animal and Human Samples in Panama

Antimicrobial resistance bacteria are nowadays ubiquitous. Its presence has been reported in almost every type of source, from water for agricultural and recreative use, water distribution pipes, and wastewater, to food, fomites, and clinical samples. Enterobacteriaceae, especially Escherichia coli, are not the exception, showing an increased resistance to several antibiotics, causing a global health and economic burden. Therefore, the monitoring of fecal microbiota is important because it is present in numerous reservoirs where gene transfer between commensal and virulent bacteria can take place, representing a potential source of resistant E. coli. In this work, antibiotic resistance profiles of 150 E. coli isolates from environmental, animal, and human samples, collected in three rural areas in Panama, were analyzed. A total of 116 isolates were resistant to at least one of the nine antibiotics tested. Remarkably, almost 100% of these exhibited resistance to tetracycline. Plasmid-associated tetA and tetB genes were detected in 42.86% of the isolates analyzed, tetA being the most prevalent. These results suggest that tetracycline resistance would be used as a convenient indicator of genetic horizontal transfer within a community.

Pharmacokinetics of cefquinome in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) after intravascular, intraperitoneal, and oral administrations

This study aimed to determine the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of cefquinome in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) following intravascular (IV), intraperitoneal (IP), and oral (PO) administrations at 14 ± 1°C. In this study, three hundred and six clinically healthy rainbow trout (110-140 g) were used. The fish received single IV, IP, and PO injections of cefquinome at 10 mg/kg dose. The plasma concentrations of cefquinome were measured using HPLC-UV and were evaluated using non-compartmental analysis. Cefquinome was measured up to 96 h for PO route and 144 h for IV and IP routes in plasma. Following IV administration, t_1/2ʎz , Cl_T , and V_dss were 18.85 h, 0.037 L/h/kg, and 0.84 L/kg, respectively. The C_max of IP and PO routes was 9.75 and 1.64 μg/ml, respectively. The bioavailability following IP and PO administrations was 59.46% and 12.33%, respectively. Cefquinome at 10 mg/kg dose may maintain T > MIC above 40% at 72 and 96 h intervals, respectively, following the IP and IV routes for bacteria with MIC values of ≤2 μg/ml and at 24 h intervals following the PO route for bacteria with MIC value of ≤0.75 μg/ml. However, further studies are needed to determine in vitro and in vivo antibacterial efficacy and multiple dosage regimens of cefquinome against pathogens isolated from rainbow trout.

Carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli from shrimp and salmon available for purchase by consumers in Canada: a risk profile using the Codex framework

Resistance to carbapenems in human pathogens is a growing clinical and public health concern. The carbapenems are in an antimicrobial class considered last-resort, they are used to treat human infections caused by multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales, and they are classified by the World Health Organization as 'High Priority Critically Important Antimicrobials'. The presence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CREs) of animal-origin is of concern because targeted studies of Canadian retail seafood revealed the presence of carbapenem resistance in a small number of Enterobacterales isolates. To further investigate this issue, a risk profile was developed examining shrimp and salmon, the two most important seafood commodities consumed by Canadians and Escherichia coli, a member of the Enterobacterales order. Carbapenem-resistant E. coli (CREc) isolates have been identified in shrimp and other seafood products. Although carbapenem use in aquaculture has not been reported, several classes of antimicrobials are utilised globally and co-selection of antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms in an aquaculture setting is also of concern. CREs have been identified in retail seafood purchased in Canada and are currently thought to be uncommon. However, data concerning CRE or CREc occurrence and distribution in seafood are limited, and argue for implementation of ongoing or periodic surveillance.

Multi-drug resistance, integron and transposon-mediated gene transfer in heterotrophic bacteria from Penaeus vannamei and its culture environment

Multi-drug resistance (MDR) in bacteria is regarded as an emerging pollutant in different food production avenues including aquaculture. One hundred and sixty out of 2304 bacterial isolates from shrimp farm samples (n = 192) of Andhra Pradesh, India, were MDR. Based on biochemical identification and 16S rRNA sequencing, they were grouped into 35 bacterial species with the predominance of Vibrio parahaemolyticus (12.5%). The MDR isolates showed highest resistance toward oxytetracycline (89%) with more than 0.2 MAR (multiple antibiotic resistance), demonstrates a high-risk source. The most prevalent antibiotic-resistance gene (ARG) and mobile genetic element (MGE) detected were tetA (47.5%) and int1 (46.2%), respectively. In conjugation experiments, overall transfer frequency was found to be in the range of 1.1 × 10^-9 to 1.8 × 10^-3 with the transconjugants harbouring ARGs and MGEs. This study exposed the wide distribution of MDR bacteria in shrimp and its environment, which can further aggravate the already raised concerns of antibiotic residues in the absence of proper mitigation measures.

Role of Plasmid in Pesticide Degradation and Metal Tolerance in Two Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Bacillus cereus (NCIM 5557) and Bacillus safensis (NCIM 5558)

Disha A (Bacillus cereus) and Disha B (Bacillus safensis) were isolated from pesticide-infested agricultural field and showed tolerance against pesticides, heavy metals, and antibiotics. The isolates exhibited PGPR activities in vitro as well as in field conditions in lentil (Lens culinaris) and cow pea (Vigna unguiculata). Both the Bacillus species could not be grown in mineral salt medium but efficiently grown in the media supplemented with pesticide (imidacloprid/carbendazim) demonstrating the utilization of pesticide as carbon/nitrogen source. The HPLC studies exhibited the pesticide (imidacloprid/carbendazim) degradation by both the bacteria. B. safensis showed better degradation of carbendazim (88.93%) and imidacloprid (82.48%) than that of B. cereus 78.07% and 49.12%, respectively. The bacterial isolates showed high concentration of heavy metal tolerance viz. lead, molybdenum, cadmium, copper, cobalt, and zinc, except mercury. Both the bacteria possessed single plasmid. The plasmid-cured isolates of B. cereus did not tolerate any pesticide, whereas that of B. safensis tolerated all the pesticides, like wild strains. The plasmid curing experiments did not affect the heavy metal tolerance ability of both the bacteria indicating the genomic nature of heavy metal tolerance genes, whereas pesticide resistance genes are plasmid-dependent in B. cereus but genomic in B. safensis.

Emergence of phenotypic and genotypic resistance in the intestinal microbiota of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) exposed long-term to sub-inhibitory concentrations of sulfamethoxazole

Natural waters are contaminated globally with pharmaceuticals including many antibiotics. In this study, we assessed the acquisition of antimicrobial resistance in the culturable intestinal microbiota of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) exposed for 6 months to sub-inhibitory concentrations of sulfamethoxazole (SMX), one of the most prevalent antibiotics in natural waters. SMX was tested at three concentrations: 3000 µg/L, a concentration that had no observed effect (NOEC) on the in vitro growth of fish intestinal microbiota; 3 µg/L, a theoretical predicted no effect concentration (PNEC) for long-term studies in natural environments; and 0.3 µg/L, a concentration detected in many surveys of surface waters from various countries including the USA. In two independent experiments, the emergence of phenotypic resistance and an increased prevalence of bacteria carrying a sulfonamide-resistance gene (sul1) were observed in SMX-exposed fish. The emergence of phenotypic resistance to1000 mg/L SMX was significant in fish exposed to 3 µg/L SMX and was in large part independent of sul resistance genes. The prevalence of bacteria carrying the sul1 resistance gene increased significantly in the culturable intestinal microbiota of SMX-exposed fish, but the sul1-positive population was in large part susceptible to 1000 mg/L SMX, suggesting that the gene confers a lower resistance level or a growth advantage. The increased prevalence of sul1 bacteria was observed in all groups of SMX-exposed fish. Overall, this study suggests that fish exposed long-term to waters contaminated with low levels of antibiotics serve as reservoir of antimicrobial resistant genes and of resistant bacteria, a potential threat to public health.

Modulatory effects of laurel-leaf cistus (Cistus laurifolius) ethanolic extract on innate immune responses and disease resistance in common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Medicinal herbs are used for growth promotion, disease control and other health benefits in aquaculture industry. Here, we examined the effect of dietary laurel-leaf cistus (Cistus laurifolius) ethanolic extract on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, haematological profile and nonspecific immune responses in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). In addition, resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila infection was examined. Common carp was fed diets containing 0 (Control), 0.1 (CL0.1), 0.5 (CL0.5) and 1 (CL1) g kg^-1 laurel-leaf cistus extract for 45 days. After 30 days, superoxide anion production (SAP) increased in CL0.1 and CL0.5 fish groups and at the end of the study all experimental fish groups had higher SAP compared to that of the control (P ˂ 0.05). Lysozyme activity (LA) was elevated in CL0.5 and CL1 treated groups on 30th day (P < 0.05), and this increase was only observed in C0.1 fish group at the end of study compared to control (P ˂ 0.05). Myeloperoxidase activity was significantly increased in CL0.5 and CL1 fish groups at the end of study. IL-1βgene expression was significantly increased in treated fish in a dose-depended manner. Similar results were observed for transcription of IL-6 and IL-8 (P < 0.05). Anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-10 and TGF-β were highly up-regulated in the intestine and head kidney of CL treated fish groups compared to control (P < 0.05). At the end of experiment, significantly higher final body weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate were obtained in CL0.1 treated fish group compared to control. However, growth was negatively affected in CL1 fish group (P < 0.05). CL1 fish group had also a significantly higher FCR. Amylase activity was significantly increased in all experimental fish groups compared to control (P ˂ 0.05). Trypsin activity was decreased in CL0.1 and CL1 fish groups (P ˂ 0.05). WBC and RBC were significantly increased (P ˂ 0.05) in CL0.5 and CL1 fish groups, whereas haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean cell, mean cell haemoglobin contents were no significantly changed among control and treatment groups. Result of challenge test with A. hydrophila exhibited that survival rate in all treatment groups was significantly higher than that of control. These findings demonstrated that laurel-leaf cistus at 0.1 g kg^-1 can be a suitable candidate for growth promotion, immune system induction and infection control in fish.

Effects of Greek juniper (Juniperus excelsa) extract on immune responses and disease resistance against Yersinia ruckeri in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

This study investigated the effects of Greek juniper extract on immune responses of rainbow trout. In this experiment, 4 doses [0 (Control), 1 (J1), 4 (J4) and 8 (J8) mg/kg] of the extract were administered orally using an oral gavage twice a day for 14 days. Immune responses were measured on 7th and 14th days. On 14th day, Yersinia ruckeri was injected intraperitoneally to all fish of all groups. On 14th day, ORP in fish of J1 group increased significantly. Lysozyme activity (LA) was increased in J8 group on 7th day (p < .05). On 14th day, a significant decrease was determined in J1 and J4 treatments in LA. Myeloperoxidase activity was significantly decreased in all groups irrespective of sampling times (p < .05). Interleukin (IL)-1β was significantly elevated in fish of J8 group on 7th day. IL-8 increased in fish of J8 and J4 groups on 7th day of the study. IL-12 gene expression was significantly up-regulated in J8 fish group on 7th day, and in J4 fish group on 14th day. Survival rate was higher in J8 treatment compared to the control and other treatments (p < .05). The results suggest that Juniperus excelsa provides protection against Y. ruckeri in rainbow trout.

Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in Aquaculture and Climate Change: A Challenge for Health in the Mediterranean Area

Aquaculture is the productive activity that will play a crucial role in the challenges of the millennium, such as the need for proteins that support humans and the respect for the environment. Aquaculture is an important economic activity in the Mediterranean basin. A great impact is presented, however, by aquaculture practices as they involve the use of antibiotics for treatment and prophylaxis. As a consequence of the use of antibiotics in aquaculture, antibiotic resistance is induced in the surrounding bacteria in the column water, sediment, and fish-associated bacterial strains. Through horizontal gene transfer, bacteria can diffuse antibiotic-resistance genes and mobile resistance genes further spreading genetic determinants. Once triggered, antibiotic resistance easily spreads among aquatic microbial communities and, from there, can reach human pathogenic bacteria, making vain the use of antibiotics for human health. Climate change claims a significant role in this context, as rising temperatures can affect cell physiology in bacteria in the same way as antibiotics, causing antibiotic resistance to begin with. The Mediterranean Sea represents a 'hot spot' in terms of climate change and aspects of antibiotic resistance in aquaculture in this area can be significantly amplified, thus increasing threats to human health. Practices must be adopted to counteract negative impacts on human health, with a reduction in the use of antibiotics as a pivotal point. In the meantime, it is necessary to act against climate change by reducing anthropogenic impacts, for example by reducing CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. The One Health type approach, which involves the intervention of different skills, such as veterinary, ecology, and medicine in compliance with the principles of sustainability, is necessary and strongly recommended to face these important challenges for human and animal health, and for environmental safety in the Mediterranean area.

Microbiome structure in a recirculating aquaculture system and its connection to infections in sturgeon fish

Aim

This study aimed to determine the bacterial composition at various stages of the temperature regime in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) to assess the pathological risk of a group of opportunistic pathogenic microflora.

Materials and Methods

Water temperature, incidences of illnesses, and fish mortality were monitored, during the research period to identify the causes of pathogens in sturgeons. Analysis of the nucleotide sequences was performed using the quantitative insights into microbial ecology module. Sequence alignment in the analysis of the distribution of gene libraries was performed using the Unclust method. The RDP database was used for the taxonomic identification of operational taxonomic units.

Results

The pattern of the contraction of infection among sturgeons bred in the RAS was established. A detailed analysis of the microbiome structure's taxonomic features showed dominant taxa during the "artificial wintering" period and at a temperature optimum in industrial aquaculture. It was found that the main outbreaks of pseudomonosis occurred during this period in the RAS. With a decrease in temperature of the aquatic environment, the incidence of illness increased by 75% compared with the optimum temperature period. Pseudomonas, Cetobacterium, and Lactococcus were specific taxa characteristic for the "artificial wintering" period. Xanthomonadaceae and Flavobacterium were specific taxa characteristic for the optimum temperature.

Conclusion

Consequently, the microbial structure was determined at different temperature regimes in a RAS, and the dominant communities were identified. The pattern of the contraction of infection caused by an opportunistic microflora (pseudomonosis) among sturgeons was established, allowing for the development and correction of treatment and preventive measures.

A novel herbal immunostimulant for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) against Yersinia ruckeri

In this 21-day study, we examined the effects of the aqueous methanolic extract of thin-skinned plum (Prunus domestica) on growth, immune response and resistance to a pathogenic bacterium, Yersinia ruckeri in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Fish were fed with diets containing thin-skinned plum extract doses as 0 (Control) 0.1 (PD01), 0.5 (PD05) and 1% (PD1) ad libitum twice in a day. At the end of the study, growth was affected positively but not significantly. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was decreased in the PD01 group (P < 0.05). There were elevated respiratory burst and potential bacterial killing activities on the 7th day in the PD1 fish group. No differences were observed in lysozyme activity (P > 0.05). An increased myeloperoxidase activity was recorded on the 14th day of study. Expression of interleukin and COX-2 genes was elevated on the 7th day of study in the kidney and intestine of treated fish. Histological results indicated no marked changes in organs (gill, kidney, liver and spleen) of PD treated fish groups. Challenge results of fish in all plum extract-treated groups showed an increased survival rate against Y. ruckeri (P < 0.05). This study indicated that the thin-skinned plum aqueous methanolic extract could improve innate immunity, survival against Y. ruckeri and decrease the FCR level.

Citrobacter tructae sp. nov. Isolated from Kidney of Diseased Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

A novel Citrobacter species was isolated from the kidney of diseased rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) reared on a trout farm. Biochemical characterization and phylogenetic analysis were performed for bacterial identification. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and five housekeeping genes indicated that the strain belongs to the Citrobacter genus. However, multilocus sequence analysis, a comparison of average nucleotide identity, and genome-to-genome distance values revealed that strain SNU WT2 is distinct and forms a separate clade from other Citrobacter species. Additionally, the phenotype characteristics of the strain differed from those of other Citrobacter species. Quinone analysis indicated that the predominant isoprenoid quinone is Q-10. Furthermore, strain virulence was determined by a rainbow trout challenge trial, and the strain showed resistance to diverse antibiotics including β-lactams, quinolone, and aminoglycosides. The complete genome of strain SNU WT2 is 4,840,504 bp with a DNA G + C content of 51.94% and 106,068-bp plasmid. Genome analysis revealed that the strain carries virulence factors on its chromosome and antibiotic resistance genes on its plasmid. This strain represents a novel species in the genus Citrobacter for which the name C. tructae has been proposed, with SNU WT2 (=KCTC 72517 = JCM 33612) as the type strain.

Antibiotic Resistance Characteristics and Prevalence in Kitfo, an Ethiopian Beef Tartar

ABSTRACT

Kitfo is a version of beef tartar widely consumed in the Ethiopian community. It is made from raw minced beef and a blend of powdered spice and butter. Although previous studies have shown that kitfo contains several bacteria that are of public health concern, the status of their antibiotic resistance is not known. In this study, the antibiotic resistance of bacterial isolates from 26 retail kitfo samples obtained from the Washington metropolitan area was analyzed. Characterization and antibiotic sensitivity of the isolates were determined by the Vitek 2 system and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was used to delineate the intraspecies variations. Of the isolates, 59% were resistant to two or more antibiotics. Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Pseudomonas luteola were multidrug resistant to the classes of β-lactam, cephalosporins, and nitrofurantoin. The antibiotic susceptibility profile of the isolates was cefazolin (59%), cefoxitin (50%), ampicillin (32%), and nitrofuran (18%). Most isolates (75%) were Enterobacteriaceae, whereas only 3.8 and 2.6% were Pseudomonadaceae and Moraxellaceae, respectively. Of the Enterobacteriaceae, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella spp. were the most predominant. All isolates except Klebsiella spp. showed high genetic variation (>65%). This study implicates for the first time kitfo as a potential reservoir of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

HIGHLIGHTS

Patterns of antimicrobial resistance observed in the Middle East: Environmental and health care retrospectives

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the biggest worldwide challenging problems that associates with high morbidity and mortality rates. The resistance of bacteria to various antibiotic classes results in difficulties in the treatment of infectious diseases caused by those bacteria. This paper highlights and provides a critical overview of observational and experimental studies investigating the presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in different environments in Middle East countries and the mechanisms by which bacteria acquire and spread resistance. The data of this research considered the published papers within the last ten years (2010-2020) and was carried out using PubMed. A total of 66 articles were selected in this review. This review covered studies done on antibiotic resistant bacteria found in a wide range of environments including foods, animals, groundwater, aquatic environments as well as industrial and hospital wastewater. They acquire and achieve their resistance through several mechanisms such as antibiotic resistant genes, efflux pumps and enzymatic reactions. However, the dissemination and spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria is affected by several factors like anthropogenic, domestic, inappropriate use of antibiotics and the expulsion of wastewater containing antibiotic residues to the environments. Therefore, it is important to increase the awareness regarding these activities and their effect on the environment and eventually on health.

Chronic exposure to dietary antibiotics affects intestinal health and antibiotic resistance gene abundance in oriental river prawn (Macrobrachium nipponense), and provokes human health risk

Antibiotics are employed worldwide to treat diseases of humans and other animals, but most antibiotics and their secondary metabolites are discharged into the aquatic environment, and these pollutants are emerging as a severe threat to human health. However, the systematic effects of dietary antibiotics on intestinal health in crustaceans and the associated risk to human health have not been thoroughly investigated, especially the effects on growth, immune responses, intestinal health, and the abundance of antibiotic residues and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). In the present work, two typical antibiotics (sulfamethoxazole and oxytetracycline) were administered orally to juvenile oriental river prawn (Macrobrachium nipponense) for eight weeks to mimic long-term use of antibiotics at legal aquaculture doses. The results indicate that dietary exposure to antibiotics significantly inhibited the growth performance of prawns, suppressed immunological parameters, and caused higher mortality in prawns challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila. Furthermore, prawns fed a diet containing antibiotics displayed a decrease in the number of intestinal goblet cells and lower digestive enzyme activity, as well as impaired intestine antioxidant ability and immune responses. Additionally, redundancy analysis revealed that different dominant bacterial phyla were responsible for increased ARG abundance in the prawn intestinal tract between control and antibiotic diet groups. The health risks posed by antibiotic residues in prawn muscle were also evaluated. Our findings demonstrate the risk posed by long-term use of dietary antibiotics in prawns, and suggest that antibiotics should be administered more carefully during aquaculture.

Pharmacokinetics of danofloxacin in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) after intravenous and intramuscular administrations

The plasma pharmacokinetics of danofloxacin was studied in healthy African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) following a single intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) administration of 10 mg/kg at 22 °C. Catfish were divided into two groups (each group containing 78 fish), then danofloxacin mesylate (10 mg/kg) was administered IV (into the caudal vein) in Group 1 and IM (into the right epaxial muscle) in Group 2, and blood was obtained from the caudal vein before (0 h) and after (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 and 96 h) of drug administration. High-performance liquid chromatography was used for the determination of plasma concentration, and a non-compartmental model was used for the analysis of pharmacokinetic parameters. After IV administration, elimination half-life (t_1/2λz, 24.49 h), mean residence time (MRT, 30.14 h), volume of distribution at steady state (Vdss, 1.07 L/kg) and total body clearance (CL_T, 0.035 L/h/kg) were determined. After IM administration, t_1/2λz, MRT, peak concentration (C_max), time to reach C_max and bioavailability were 47.64 h, 61.06 h, 5.22 µg/mL, 1 h and 67.12%, respectively. After IM administration, danofloxacin showed good bioavailability and long t_1/2λz. The favourable pharmacokinetic characteristics after IM administration support the use of danofloxacin for the treatment of susceptible bacterial infections in catfish.

Occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes in extracellular and intracellular DNA from sediments collected from two types of aquaculture farms

The occurrence and quantities of ARGs in extracellular and intracellular DNA (eARGs and iARGs) from sediments collected in two different types of aquaculture farms were investigated. A total of 20 ARG subtypes associated with 7 categories of commonly used antibiotics (e.g., aminoglycosides, beta-lactams, sulfonamides, tetracyclines) were identified, and some of these subtypes were not related to the antibiotics used. ARGs are mainly present in the iDNA form with the ratio of the total iARGs to eARGs being in the range of 7.9-45.5. The ratio of eARG to iARGs varies greatly with ARG subtypes, probably due to their differences in persistence as a part of eDNA. Significant correlation between int1 and ARGs was observed for both eDNA and iDNA in sediments from the aquaculture farms. Moreover, ARG pollution was more serious in bullfrog ponds than polyculture ponds due to the more frequent use of antibiotics in bullfrog rearing operations.

A new potential therapeutic remedy against Aeromonas hydrophila infection in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) using tetra, Cotinus coggygria

Different antibiotic-based drugs are being used for the treatment of Aeromonas hydrophila infection in rainbow trout, and several studies emphasize the use of medicinal plants as immunostimulants for prophylactic measure against Aeromoniasis disease. However, therapeutic effects of aqueous methanolic extracts of tetra (Cotinus coggygria) against A. hydrophila in rainbow trout were not investigated. Four different concentrations of tetra extract (0 [control], 4, 8 and 12 mg/100 µl) and also two different positive control groups (florfenicol and doxycycline antibiotics) were administered orally using feeding needles to individual rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss of all experimental groups twice a day after intramuscular inoculation of A. hydrophila. The study period was for 10 days. On 0th, 3rd, 7th and 10th day, blood and tissues were collected from the fish and changes in humoral immune responses, haematology and immune-related gene expressions were determined. In the study, superoxide radical production was decreased generally in all experimental groups except in 12 mg tetra and florfenicol treatments compared to control (p < .05). Lysozyme activity was generally decreased (p < .05), or no differences were observed in all experimental groups compared to the control. Myeloperoxidase activity was significantly increased in florfenicol-treated fish group on 7th day (p < .05). Generally, myeloperoxidase activity showed an increase in almost all tetra-treated groups. Haematological parameters increased but were not significantly high enough in treatments. Almost all immune-related gene expressions were significantly enhanced on 3rd and 10th day of the study. Survival rate of 53.33% was found in control group. There were no significant differences in survival between control and 4 mg tetra-treated group (p > .05). All the other groups' survival rate was significantly increased compared to control. The highest survival rate was found in florfenicol group (80%). In 12 mg tetra-, doxycycline- and 8 mg tetra-treated groups, survival rate was recorded as 74.44%, 70% and 70%, respectively. Our results suggest that tetra methanolic extract is an effective therapeutic remedy against A. hydrophila infection in rainbow trout at the dose of 24 mg/32.34 g body weight/day.

Global distribution and current research of AmpC beta-lactamase genes in aquatic environments: A systematic review

AmpC beta-lactamase genes are some of the most common antibiotic resistance genes and require special attention once they have become mobilised. The detection of these genes is well documented in clinical settings. However, there is insufficient knowledge of both plasmid and genomic AmpC genes in aquatic environments. This systematic review aimed to determine the extent of the knowledge gap in the literature regarding the prevalence of AmpC beta-lactamase genes in aquatic systems. Using selected criteria, a total of 27 databases were searched for applicable peer-reviewed journal articles. No date and language restrictions were applied. Journal articles that highlighted the detection of AmpC beta-lactamase genes in environmental aquatic systems, including wastewater treatment plants, were included. Of the 950 literature sources that were identified, 50 were selected for full text analysis based on predetermined criteria. Studies on AmpC genes detection were traced in 23 countries. These studies focused on surface water (24), wastewater (17), sea water (4) and both surface and wastewater (5). Most studies did not specifically aim to detect AmpC genes, but to detect antibiotic resistance genes in general. Presently no surveillance protocols, standardised detection methods or environmental limits exist for these genes and, due to a paucity of research in this field, it is unlikely that such systems will be implemented in the near future. The implications and dynamics of AmpC genes in aquatic systems remain unclear and require intense research to ensure the sustainability of environmental systems and human health.

Therapeutic effects of beard lichen, Usnea barbata extract against Lactococcus garvieae infection in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

In this study, therapeutic effects of aqueous methanolic extracts of beard lichen (Usnea barbata) against Lactococcus garvieae (ATCC 43921) in rainbow trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss) were investigated. Six different experimental groups [0 mg/100 μL (Control), 4 mg/100 μL, 8 mg/100 μL, 12 mg/100 μL, 6 mg/100 μL florfenicol (positive control), 6 mg/100 μL erythromycin (positive control)] were set up to determine effects of lichen extract on immune responses and survival rate. In the study, superoxide radical production was increased in fish treated with 12 mg beard lichen extract, florfenicol and erythromycin compared to that of control (P < 0.05). Lysozyme activity was generally decreased (P < 0.05) or no differences were observed in all experimental groups compared to that of control (P > 0.05). Myeloperoxidase was significantly increased in all antibiotic treated groups. No differences were observed in liver histology of experimental groups compared to control. Cytokine gene expressions were elevated in all experimental groups compared to that of control (P < 0.05), except IL-1β expression at 10th day sampling time. Other immune related genes (IL-8, TGF- β, IL-12 Beta, TNFα1, IL-10, COX-2, IL-6, TLR5, C3, IGM, MHC-II, iNOS, IgT, IFN1, IFN2, IFN reg) were also elevated in all experimental groups compared to that of control group. The survival rates obtained in 4 mg beard lichen treated group, 8 mg beard lichen treated group and erythromycin treated group were 73.08, 65.38 and 80.77% respectively. Our results suggest that beard lichen methanolic extract could be an effective therapeutic agent to be used against L. garvieae infection in rainbow trout at the dose of 4 mg/17.41 ± 0.3 g body weight/day.

Molecular characterization and antimicrobial resistance profile of fecal contaminants and spoilage bacteria that emerge in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) farms

Fecal contaminants are a major public concern that directly affect human health in the fish production industry. In this study, we aimed to determine the fecal coliform, spoilage bacteria, and antimicrobial-resistant bacterial contamination in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) farms. Fish were sampled from rainbow trout farms that have a high production capacity and are established on spring water, stream water, and dammed lakes in six different regions of Turkey. A total of seven Enterobacter subspecies, two strains of Pseudomonas spp., and one isolate each of Morganella and Stenotrophomonas were characterized based on biochemical and molecular methods, including the 16S rRNA and gyrB housekeeping gene regions. The sequencing results obtained from the 16S rRNA and gyrB gene regions were deposited in the GenBank database and compared with isolates from different countries, which were registered in the database. Resistance to 10 different antimicrobial compounds was determined using the broth microdilution method, and molecular resistance genes against florfenicol, tetracycline, and sulfamethoxazole were identified by PCR. All detected resistance genes were confirmed by sequencing analyses. E. cloacae, E. asburiae, Pseudomonas spp., S. maltophilia, and M. psychrotolerans were identified using the gyrB housekeeping gene, while isolates showed different biochemical characteristics. All isolates were found to be phenotypically resistant to sulfamethoxazole, and some isolates were resistant to tetracycline, florfenicol, amoxicillin, and doxycycline; the resistance genes of these isolates included floR, tetC, tetD, and tetE. We showed that fecal coliforms, spoilage bacteria, and antimicrobial resistant bacteria were present in farmed rainbow trout, and they pose a threat for human health and must be controlled in the farming stage of fish production.

Plasma and tissue disposition of danofloxacin in brown trout (Salmo trutta fario) after intravenous and intramuscular administrations

Plasma and muscle pharmacokinetics of danofloxacin were investigated after 10 mg/kg intravenous (IV, caudal vein) and intramuscular (IM, right epaxial muscles) administrations in 168 healthy brown trout (Salmo trutta fario) at 10°C-13°C. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine its plasma and muscle concentrations. Pharmacokinetic parameters were analysed with a non-compartmental model. After IV administration, elimination half-life (t_1/2ʎz), area under the concentration-time curve (AUC_0-∞), mean residence time (MRT_0-∞), volume of distribution at steady state, total body clearance in plasma and AUC_Muscle/AUC_Plasma ratio were 22.22 h, 140.66 h*µg/mL, 23.15 h, 2.28 L/kg, 0.07 L/h/kg and 3.79, respectively. After IM administration, t_1/2ʎz, AUC_0-∞, MRT_0-∞, peak concentration (C_max), time to reach C_max, bioavailability in plasma and AUC_Muscle/AUC_Plasma ratio were 28.28 h, 84.39 h*µg/mL, 37.31 h, 4.79 µg/mL, 1 h, 59.99% and 8.46, respectively. Danofloxacin exhibited long t_1/2ʎz and good bioavailability after IM administration. Therefore, 10 mg/kg IM administration of danofloxacin in brown trout can provide AUC_0-24/MIC of > 125 and C_max/MIC of > 10 to treat diseases caused by susceptible bacteria with ≤ 0.336 µg/mL MIC.

Effects of Cage Farming on Antimicrobial and Heavy Metal Resistance of Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecium, and Lactococcus garvieae

OBJECTIVE

To characterize antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and heavy metal resistance genes (HMRGs) of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecium isolated from the sediment and Lactococcus garvieae isolated from fish.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The isolated bacteria were identified by sequencing 16S rRNA genes. After identification of the bacteria, tetracycline (tetA, tetB, tetD), erythromycin (ereA, ereB), sulfonamides (sulI, sulII), trimethoprim (dhfrA1), β-lactam (bla_TEM, bla_CTX, ampC), florfenicol (floR), and class 1 integron (Int1) resistance gene were then determined. The presence of HMRGs, including copper (copA), mercury (mer), cadmium, zinc, cobalt (czc), and nickel, cobalt cadmium (ncc), was also analyzed by PCR. All strains were checked for the presence of ARGs and/or HMRGs on the plasmid.

RESULTS

The frequency of the β-lactam resistance gene was highest and ranged from 49.7% to 62.3%, followed by sulfonamides, tetracyclines, phenicols, and macrolide resistance genes. The cage culture fish farming practice showed significant effects on ARG frequency of bacteria isolated from the sediment, whereas it had no effect on the frequency of HMRGs. The most prevalent HMRG was determined as mercury-resistant mer gene in all bacteria. All four of the HMRGs were located on plasmids with frequency ranging from 1.20% to 32.53%. The presence of ARGs on plasmids ranged between 2.2% (Dhfr1) and 75% (AmpC, blactx, tetB), and plasmids did not contain tetD and ereB genes.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study indicate that fish farming can significantly influence the antimicrobial resistance properties of bacteria isolated from sediment samples.

Complex pollution of antibiotic resistance genes due to beta-lactam and aminoglycoside use in aquaculture farming

The prevalence of antibiotic resistance in the modern world has raised global concerns for public health. Establishing relationships between antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is essential to understanding the dissemination and accumulation of ARGs in a human-impacted environment. In this study, ARG profiles in the sediments from a bullfrog farm, where penicillin and amoxicillin (beta-lactams) and gentamicin (aminoglycoside) were used for prophylactic purposes, were analyzed using metagenomic approaches. Analysis of both extracellular and intracellular DNA (eDNA and iDNA) demonstrated that use of the above-mentioned antibiotics led to complex pollution of ARGs not only related to beta-lactams and aminoglycoside but also to sulfonamides, tetracyclines, and macrolides. Most of the ARGs in the sediments from the bullfrog farm were likely carried by plasmids. A significant correlation was observed between the total abundance of ARG-related plasmids and that of plasmid-carrying ARGs. Approximately 85% of the plasmids likely present in the sediment from the bullfrog farm possessed at least 3 ARG subtypes, which conferred the resistance of bacterial hosts to different antibiotic categories. Our results suggest that antibiotics could lead to complex pollution of ARGs unrelated to those administered due to the concurrence of ARGs in the plasmids.

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in wildlife, food-producing, and companion animals: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

The spread of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in healthcare settings challenges clinicians worldwide. However, little is known about dissemination of CRE in livestock, food, and companion animals and potential transmission to humans.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of all studies published in the PubMed database between 1980 and 2017 and included those reporting the occurrence of CRE in samples from food-producing and companion animals, wildlife, and exposed humans. The primary outcome was the occurrence of CRE in samples from these animals; secondary outcomes included the prevalence of CRE, carbapenemase types, CRE genotypes, and antimicrobial susceptibilities.

RESULTS

We identified 68 articles describing CRE among pigs, poultry, cattle, seafood, dogs, cats, horses, pet birds, swallows, wild boars, wild stork, gulls, and black kites in Africa, America, Asia, Australia, and Europe. The following carbapenemases have been detected (predominantly affecting the genera Escherichia and Klebsiella): VIM, KPC, NDM, OXA, and IMP. Two studies found that 33-67% of exposed humans on poultry farms carried carbapenemase-producing CRE closely related to isolates from the farm environment. Twenty-seven studies selectively screened samples for CRE and found a prevalence of <1% among livestock and companion animals in Europe, 2-26% in Africa, and 1-15% in Asia. Wildlife (gulls) in Australia and Europe carried CRE in 16-19%.

CONCLUSIONS

The occurrence of CRE in livestock, seafood, wildlife, pets, and directly exposed humans poses a risk for public health. Prospective prevalence studies using molecular and cultural microbiological methods are needed to better define the scope and transmission of CRE.

Protection of rainbow trout against yersiniosis by lpxD mutant Yersinia ruckeri

Yersinia ruckeri is a Gram negative bacteria causing yersiniosis in freshwater and marine fish. Lipid A, important for pathogenesis of Gram negative bacteria, biosynthesis pathway requires nine enzyme catalyzed steps. Although there are nine genes encoding lipid A biosynthesis in bacteria, biosynthesis of lipopolysaccharides relies on lpxD gene that encodes the third pathway enzyme. The roles of LpxD in Y. ruckeri virulence have not been studied. In the present study, in-frameshift deletion of lpxD gene and their role in Y. ruckeri virulence in rainbow trout were determined. For this purpose, 92% of the Y. ruckeri lpxD genes were deleted by homologous recombination. After running in SDS-PAGE and staining with silver stain, no LPS was detectable in the Y. ruckeri ΔlpxD mutant. Virulence and immunogenicity of the Y. ruckeri ΔlpxD mutant (YrΔlpxD) were determined in rainbow trout. Rainbow trout immunized with YrΔlpxD with immersion, or intraperitoneal injection method displayed superior protection (relative percentage survival ≥ 84%) after exposure to wild type Y. ruckeri. In conclusion, our results indicated that deletion of the lpxD gene causes significant attenuation of Y. ruckeri in rainbow trout, and LPS deficient YrΔlpxD could be used as a live attenuated vaccine against Y. ruckeri in rainbow trout. This vaccine can protect fish and it can be applied to fish with different methods such as immersion or injection.