June 22, 2006

Antibiotics in aquaculture said to be encouraging bacterial resistance

A US study said antibiotics, used frequently in aquaculture could lead to resistant strains of bacteria that would harm not only fish but humans and animals as well.

Dr Felipe Cabello and colleagues at New York Medical College, in a report published in "Environmental Microbiology" said it is di rigueur for the aquaculture industry, especially those in developing countries, to use antibiotics liberally to prevent infection.

The antibiotics used are often non-biodegradable and would encourage the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Overtime, this trait could be passed on bacteria that attack fish and eventually be transferred to human and animal pathogens.

Also, residual antibiotics are found in fish fed on antibiotic-laced feed. These antibiotics are passed down the food chain when people consume fish. Antibiotics alter the human gut's microbial environment, causing other complications. 

A global effort to control the use of antibiotics in aquaculture is essential to prevent these detrimental effects, the researchers wrote.