WWW.WA S .ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • SEP TEMBER 2022 25 Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become an increasingly important threat to public health. The excessive use of antibiotics has caused pathogens to mutate and become more resilient to drugs, rendering them ineffective. AMR was responsible for 1.3 million human deaths in 2019 (Murray et al. 2022) and one of the sources of this challenge is the use of antibiotics in the animal production food chain. The majority of all antibiotics produced is consumed by animals. Aquaculture has grown considerably over the last decade, accounting for 25 percent of global fish production in 2000 and increasing to 47.9 percent in 2019 (FAO 2021). Governmental institutions and commercial producers have taken many steps over the years to control the excessive use of antibiotics but often there are still no tangible alternatives for disease control of cultured aquatic species. Bacteriophages, also commonly known as phages, are the oldest organisms on the planet. They are viruses that target only specific bacteria. That is why they are safe for humans, animals and plants as they do not affect the host’s cells nor damage its beneficial microbiome. Proteon Pharmaceuticals has worked with bacteriophage technology for over ten years and has developed highly efficient, stable and sustainable feed additives for different animal industries. Our mission is to use phages as an alternative to antibiotics to tackle AMR, safeguard animal health and welfare and reduce the economic impact of diseases on the farmer. A Little History In 1915, bacteriologist Frederick Twort discovered some unidentified molecules that inhibit bacterial growth, but he was unaware of their potential. In 1917, microbiologist Félix d’Hérelle was the first to isolate and characterize bacteriophages. He also gave them their name, from the ancient Greek “phagein,” essentially naming them “bacteria eaters”. He introduced the concept of phage therapy, which became popular in the 1920s-1930s and some companies even developed commercial phage preparations. However, because bacteriophage properties were poorly understood, the efficacy of the products was very inconsistent, leading to the scientific community questioning bacteriophages as an effective disease control method. With the discovery of antibiotics in the 1940s, phage therapy was unable to compete with the innovative and unprecedented success of antibiotics and unfortunately there were no advances made regarding their potential. With the rise in AMR, there has been a renewed interest in alternatives to antibiotics and bacteriophages are believed to be an efficient solution. Many companies are working with bacteriophage technology in human and animal health. Because aquatic species have been branded as “blue food,” producers promote a more sustainable and improved production compared to landbased/terrestrial animals. The aquaculture industry is therefore actively investing in the development of antibiotics alternatives and relies on natural, safe and resistance-free products for the future of the industry. Bacteriophages: A Sustainable Solution to Tackle AMR in Aquaculture Mara Thomas, Justyna Andrysiak, Ewelina Wójcik, Elżbieta Fornal, Justyna Kowalska, Jolanta Witaszewska, Monika Terenowicz and Jarosław Dastych FIGURE 1. Diagram of a bacteriophage’s morphology. ( C O N T I N U E D O N P A G E 2 6 ) FIGURE 2. Color enhanced transmission electron microscopy of bacteriophage T4.
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