Streptococcus iniae in aquaculture: a review of pathogenesis, virulence, and antibiotic resistance

ABSTRACT

One of the main challenges in aquaculture is pathogenic bacterial control. Streptococcus iniae stands out for its ability to cause high mortality rates in populations of commercially important fish populations and its recent recognition as an emerging zoonotic pathogen. The rise in identifying over 80 strains some displaying antibiotic resistance coupled with the emerging occurrence of infections in marine mammal species and wild fish underscores the urgent need of understanding pathogenesis, virulence and drug resistance mechanisms of this bacterium. This understanding is crucial to ensure effective control strategies. In this context, the present review conducts a bibliometric analysis to examine research trends related to S. iniae, extending into the mechanisms of infection, virulence, drug resistance and control strategies, whose relevance is highlighted on vaccines and probiotics to strengthen the host immune system. Despite the advances in this field, the need for developing more efficient identification methods is evident, since they constitute the basis for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

KEYWORDS:

• Probiotics
• antimicrobial agents
• vaccine
• pathogen
• Streptococcus iniae

Acknowledgments

Funding for research was provided by Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencia y Tecnología from Mexico (CONAHCYT México, grant CF-2019-549477). M.Z.J.C., acknowledges the doctoral fellowships provided by CONAHCYT (no. 738218) and D. Fischer for English edition.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología [549477].