Vibriosis caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus in aquatic animals and bacteriophage therapy: a review

Abstract:

Vibrio parahaemolyticus, the causative agent of vibriosis in aquatic animals, is a foodborne pathogen responsible for fatal diseases such as gastroenteritis, septicemia, and necrotizing fasciitis in humans via the ingestion of contaminated seafood, posing a great threat to both aquaculture and public health security. The abuse and over-use of antibiotics have caused drug residues in aquatic products and bacterial resistance. It is therefore urgent to develop safe and effective antibiotic substitutes. As a bacterial virus, phage possesses many advantages such as host specificity, easy availability, easy preservation, and high efficiency, which attracted increasing attention in the prevention and control of diseases in aquaculture and in the field of food safety. This paper reviewed the studies of vibriosis in aquatic animals and its bacteriophage therapy, aiming to provide a theoretical basis and data support for the application of V. parahaemolyticus phage in the biocontrol of diseases in aquaculture.