Four dangerous fish bacteria found in Brazil; one jumps to new host
Researchers have identified four dangerous species of Flavobacterium in Brazil's aquaculture industry, marking the first time these pathogens have been detected in the region. The bacteria, which cause columnaris disease, pose a significant threat to both native and farmed fish populations.
Why it matters
The spread of these pathogens could devastate Brazil's aquaculture sector, impacting food security and the economy of a major global fish exporter.
Bacteria previously found only in Asia and the USA have been discovered for the first time ever in Brazil among the farmed fish and the finding poses a huge threat to the country's booming aquaculture industry. Researchers found four species of the genus Flavobacterium in 11 bacterial isolates. These are known to cause columnaris disease, a serious disease in fish intended for human consumption.Six isolates were F. oreochromis, while the collection also included F. davisii, F. indicum and F. inkyongense. This disease primarily affects farms raising Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), also known commercially as Saint Peter, a species of African origin. However, it also affects farms raising native Brazilian species, such as tambaqui, pacu, and Amazon spotted catfish.
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