Abstract:
In recent years, fish farming has encountered growing challenges due to the rise of various pathogens and increasing
resistance to traditional treatments. Fish diseases now account for around 20% of production losses, and this figure can
exceed 43% during outbreaks. Understanding how pathogens interact with their hosts and the factors contributing to
antibiotic resistance is essential for developing effective solutions. This article focuses on emerging fish pathogens and
highlights strategies such as biocontrol, immune system stimulation, and immunoprophylaxis to help manage these
diseases. Bacteria like Aeromonas spp. and Edwardsiella spp. have become more prevalent, with Aeromonas species
being particularly diverse, which complicates diagnosis and vaccine development. Likewise, Edwardsiella species infect
a wide range of fish, making control efforts even more challenging. These pathogens cause significant losses in fish
health, productivity, and quality, raising costs and posing environmental risks due to the overuse of antibiotics. The issue
also explores how bioinformatics, genomics, and other advanced technologies can improve pathogen detection, vaccine
development, and the selection of fish with natural disease resistance. It also stresses the need for better biosecurity,
standardized diagnostic methods, and alternative approaches to antibiotics, such as probiotics and prebiotics. Overall, the
articles in this issue emphasizes the critical importance of understanding pathogens to develop more sustainable and
effective practices in aquaculture.
