Chapter 18 - Efficacy of different treatments available against bacterial pathogens in fish

Abstract

For decades, fishes have been used as food for humans, as they are an essential source of mineral elements. Fish are rich in minerals, proteins, lipids, essential fatty acids, and vitamins, and these all are important in the human diet. However, due to anthropogenic activities, environmental pollution, and industrialization, fish are facing various types of diseases, including fungal, viral, and bacterial, since they are constantly bathed in water that is a potential source of pathogen transportation. In addition, fish are vulnerable to environmental pollution, such as chemicals or drugs. Bacterial infections (columnaris, also referred to as cottonmouth, gill infection, ich, swelling, tail and fin rot, fungal disease, pop and cloudy eye, swim bladder disease, lice and nematode worm infestation, water-quality induced disease, alimentary stoppage, anorexia, chilodonella, ergasilus, TB, glugea, henneguya, hexamita, head and lateral line erosion disease, injuries, leeches in aquarium, lymphocystis, marine velvet, and neon tetra disease) are common in fish farms and can cause mass mortalities; their treatment can involve the intensive use of chemicals and antibiotics. Different methods/treatments have been tried to control fish diseases in addition to antibiotics, including bioremediation (improving water quality), disinfectants, prebiotics, and synbiotics. This chapter summarizes the various bacterial diseases and effective treatments available to combat the pathogenesis of these bacterial diseases.