Chapter 5

Antibiotic Resistance in Fish

Dragana B. Ljubojevic

Abstract

Foodborne transmission of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria from contaminated food has been recognized as an important hazard for human health in the past few decades and pathogenic strains of aquatic bacteria have long been considered as serious zoonotic hazards. Relatively low and competitive price of fish meat, the lack of religious and cultural barriers and the nutritional quality are the main reasons for the fact that fish meat is very attractive for consumers worldwide, so the measures to preserve the safety of fish meat are very important issue. The widespread consumption of different antimicrobial drugs in aquaculture could lead to the evolution and transmission of resistance determinates from fish to humans via the food chain. The link between the utilization of such drugs and the existence of antibioric resistance in infective either in commensal microorganism which can be found in fish and in aquatic environment and also residues of those drugs in fish due to improper utilization of veterinary drugs is discussed in this manuscript. The need for prudent use of antibiotics, particularly those which are used in human medicine is highlighted. The aim is also to point toward the present difficulty in the aquaculture management and to show the possible ecological and economical impacts. Monitoring and recording of occurrence should be the main operations in the upcoming years which should moot questions of how to make better and put into actions the established directives.

Total Pages: 102-132 (31)

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