Identification of virulence genes in Vibrio spp. isolates from the 2009 Bermuda reef fish mortality event

In vitro Assessment of the Probiotic Characteristics of Three Bacillus Species from the Gut of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

Probiotics used in aquaculture are mostly from non-fish sources, as a result ineffective in eliciting the desired effects in aquatic animals. In this study, three Bacillus species were isolated from the digestive tract of freshwater fish Oreochromis niloticus and characterised based on their morphological, biochemical and evolutionary relationships. Their probiotic potentials were evaluated based on their ability to tolerate low pH, bile salt concentration, high temperatures, adhesion ability (auto-aggregation and hydrophobicity), haemolytic activity and antimicrobial activity including biosafety assay. Three Bacillus strains identified as Bacillus velezensis TPS3N (MK130897), Bacillus subtilis TPS4 (MK130899) and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens TPS17 (MK130898) were designated as TPS3N, TPS4 and TPS17, respectively. TPS3N and TPS17 were α-haemolytic, while TPS4 was γ-haemolytic. The three isolates had higher viability ability after exposure to higher temperatures (80 °C, 90 °C and 100 °C) and were resistant to low pH (1) and bile salt concentration (0.5%) as well as high cell surface hydrophobicity and auto-aggregation. The three isolates were compatible with one another and thus can be used in consortia. These strains were susceptible to gentamicin, cephalexin, ampicillin, ceftriaxone, kanamycin, amikacin, penicillin, cefoperazone, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, tetracycline, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin, clindamycin (except TPS4) and furazolidone (except TPS17). The antimicrobial assessment showed that among the three isolates, TPS3N and TPS17 exhibited good antimicrobial activity against the three fish pathogens (Streptococcus agalactiae, Aeromonas hydrophila, Vibrio harveyi), while TPS4 was effective against Streptococcus agalactiae only. The results of this work suggest that Bacillus strains TPS3N, TPS4 and TPS17 could be considered as potential probiotics in tilapia aquaculture.

In vitro Assessment of the Safety and Potential Probiotic Characteristics of Three Bacillus Strains Isolated From the Intestine of Hybrid Grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus♂)

Probiotics serving as an alternative to the criticized antibiotics mainly focus on improving animal's growth and health. After realizing the dangers posed by diseases that have led to lots of economic losses, aquaculture scientists have sought the usage of probiotics. However, most probiotics are ineffective in eliciting aquatic animals' preferred effects, since they are from non-fish sources. Again, there are even a few marine aquatic probiotics. Given this, a study was conducted to investigate the probiotic potential of the bacteria species isolated from the digestive tract of hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus♂). Based on the morphological, biochemical, 16S rRNA sequencing analysis and evolutionary relationships, the isolated species were identified as Bacillus tequilensis GPSAK2 (MW548630), Bacillus velezensis GPSAK4 (MW548635), and Bacillus subtilis GPSAK9 (MW548634), which were designated as GPSAK2, GPSAK4, and GPSAK9 strains, respectively. Their probiotic potentials including their ability to tolerate high bile salt concentration, low pH, high temperatures, adhesion ability (auto-aggregation and cell-surface hydrophobicity), antimicrobial activity and biosafety test, compatibility test, hemolytic activity, and antibiotic susceptibility test were evaluated. While GPSAK2 and GPSAK9 strains were γ-hemolytic, that of GPSAK4 was α-hemolytic. All the isolates were resistant to low pH (1) and higher bile salt concentration (0.5%), showed higher viability ability after higher temperature exposure (80, 90, and 100°C), as well as higher cell-surface percentage hydrophobicity and auto-aggregation. All isolates exhibited positive compatibility with each other, signifying their ability to be used as multispecies. The three strains were susceptible to ampicillin (except GPSAK9, which was resistant), penicillin, kanamycin, ceftriaxone, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, clindamycin, furazolidone (except GPSAK2 and GPSAK9, which were moderately susceptible and resistant, respectively), polymyxin B, vancomycin (except GPSAK9, which was resistant), sulfamethoxazole (except GPSAK9, which was moderately susceptible), amikacin, minocycline, ofloxacin, norfloxacin, doxycycline, neomycin, gentamicin, tetracycline, carbenicillin, midecamycin (except GPSAK9, which was moderately susceptible), ciprofloxacin, piperacillin, and cefoperazone. All isolates demonstrated good antimicrobial activity against four pathogens, viz. Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus iniae, Vibrio harveyi, and Vibrio alginolyticus. The results collectively suggest that Bacillus strains GPSAK2, GPSAK4, and GPSAK9 could serve as potential probiotic candidates that can be used to improve the growth and health status of aquatic animals, especially grouper.

What drives changes in the virulence and antibiotic resistance of Vibrio harveyi in the South China Sea?

To understand the driving environmental factors in changes of bacterial virulence and antibiotic resistance, we determined the prevalence, antibiotic resistance and antibiotic resistance and virulence genes of Vibrio harveyi isolated from diseased marine fish in south coastal China. We isolated 2, 52 and 53 V. harveyi strains from Fujian, Hainan and Guangdong, respectively, and identified them by multilocus sequence analysis of 16S rRNA-toxR_Vh -rctB. Nine typical virulence genes were represented at a higher average in Hainan (7.39 ± 0.24) than in Guangdong (6.91 ± 0.28). Five atypical virulence genes were detected in some isolates. In particular, flaC and vvh were detected in more than 60% of isolates. Their average number was significantly higher in Hainan (2.30 ± 0.20) than in Guangdong (1.70 ± 0.10). Multidrug resistance was widespread with an average resistance to 4.57 ± 0.18 of 15 antibiotics. Both the average number of antibiotic resistance and antibiotic resistance genes were higher in Hainan (5.25 ± 0.27 and 1.11 ± 0.15, respectively) than in Guangdong (3.87 ± 0.21 and 0.75 ± 0.10, respectively). This study demonstrated that there were more virulence genes and greater drug resistance in Hainan than in Guangdong, suggesting that warmer temperature and antibiotics pollutants probably enhance antibiotic resistance and bacterial infection.

Molecular Identification and Characterization of Vibrio Species and Mycobacterium Species in Wild and Cultured Marine Fish from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea

In contrast to numerous documented pathogens and infectious diseases of aquaculture, there is a lack of baseline data and information regarding pathogenic agents’ prevalence in wild marine fish populations. This study focused on two common fish pathogenic microorganisms, namely Mycobacterium species and Vibrio species, both of which are known to be major causes of fish loss, occasionally to the extent of being a limiting factor in fish production. Both microorganisms are known as zoonotic agents. In total, 210 wild marine indigenous and Lessepsian fish from four different species from the eastern Mediterranean Sea were sampled and tested for Vibrio species and Mycobacterium species during a two-year period (2016–2017). Using PCR with 16S rRNA primers, we detected different strain variations of Mycobacterium species and Vibrio species and, based on the sequencing results, the overall prevalence for Vibrio species in wild fish in 2016 was significantly higher compared to 2017. No significant difference was detected for Mycobacterium species prevalence in wild fish between 2016 and 2017. In addition, 72 gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) from an Israeli offshore marine farm were also examined during the two-year period (2017–2018). The results suggest that Mycobacterium species prevalence was significantly higher in 2018, while in 2017 there was no positive results for Mycobacterium species. In addition, there was no significant difference between both years in regard to the prevalence of Vibrio species for maricultured fish. These results highlight the necessity of continuous molecular monitoring in order to evaluate the prevalence of pathogenic microorganisms in both wild and cultured fish populations.