Zoonotic bacteria, antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance in ornamental fish: a systematic review of the existing research and survey of aquaculture-allied professionals

Weir, M and Rajic, A and Dutil, L and Cernicchiaro, N and Uhland, F C and Mercier, B and Tusevljak, N

Epidemiology and Infection (2012) 140: 192–206

DOI: 10.1017/s0950268811001798

Abstract

Using systematic review methodology, global research reporting the frequency of zoonotic bacterial pathogens, antimicrobial use (AMU) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in ornamental fish, and human illness due to exposure to ornamental fish, was examined. A survey was performed to elicit opinions of aquaculture-allied personnel on the frequency of AMU and AMR in ornamental fish. The most commonly reported sporadic human infections were associated with Mycobacterium marinum, while Salmonella Paratyphi B var. Java was implicated in all reported outbreaks. Aeromonas spp. were most frequently investigated (n=10 studies) in 25 studies surveying ornamental fish from various sources. High levels of resistance were reported to amoxicillin, penicillin, tetracycline and oxytetracycline, which was also in agreement with the survey respondents’ views. Studies on AMU were not found in our review. Survey respondents reported frequent use of quinolones, followed by tetracyclines, nitrofurans, and aminoglycosides. Recommendations for future surveillance and public education efforts are presented.

Citation

Weir, M., Rajic, A., Dutil, L., Cernicchiaro, N., Uhland, F. C., Mercier, B., & Tusevljak, N. (2012). Zoonotic bacteria, antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance in ornamental fish: a systematic review of the existing research and survey of aquaculture-allied professionals. Epidemiology and Infection, 140(2), 192–206. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0950268811001798 Animals, Humans, Bacterial, Anti-Infective Agents/adverse effects, Drug Resistance, Aquaculture, Bacterial Infections/transmission, Zoonoses/transmission, Fishes, Zoonoses/microbiology, Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use, Bacterial Infections/drug therapy, Bacterial Infections/microbiology, Bacterial Infections/veterinary, Fish Diseases/drug therapy, Fish Diseases/microbiology, Fish Diseases/transmission, Questionnaires

Keywords

• Animals
• Humans
• Bacterial
• Anti-Infective Agents/adverse effects
• Drug Resistance
• Aquaculture
• Bacterial Infections/transmission
• Zoonoses/transmission
• Fishes
• Zoonoses/microbiology
• Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use
• Bacterial Infections/drug therapy
• Bacterial Infections/microbiology
• Bacterial Infections/veterinary
• Fish Diseases/drug therapy
• Fish Diseases/microbiology
• Fish Diseases/transmission
• Questionnaires