School of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Technology (SoAF)

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https://repository.udsm.ac.tz/handle/20.500.11810/5553
School of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Technology, formerly department of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries in the College of Agriculture and Fisheries (CoAF)

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Browsing School of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Technology (SoAF) by Subject "Antibiotics overuse and misuse"

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    The Current Status of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Resistance Genes in African Aquaculture
    (Springer, 2023-02-28) Samwel Mchele Limbu
    Aquaculture is currently the fastest-growing food production sector, supplying half of the fish consumed by humans globally. Nevertheless, aquaculture has been indicated as a medium for production and gateway for the transfer of antibiotic resistance bacteria (ARB) and their corresponding antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, the precise sources, factors responsible, types and consequences of ARB and ARGs in African aquaculture are currently not well known. This chapter fills such as a knowledge gap by discussing the sources of ARB and ARGs in African aquaculture, the possible factors contributing to their increase, the types of ARB and ARGs found in the industry and the socioeconomic consequences to humans. The chapter found that, African aquaculture represents a hotspot reservoir of ARB and ARGs. However, the ARB and ARGs in African aquaculture are complex and not solely derived from the industry. They originate from multiple sources, including antibiotics application in aquaculture, livestock manure and integrated aquaculture systems, agriculture and human health. The ARB and ARGs also originate from wastewater treatment plants, hospitals and pharmaceutical industries. The African aquaculture sector is currently dominated by multiple ARB and their genes, resistant to antibiotics commonly used to treat human diseases. The ARB and ARGs in aquaculture are caused by overuse and misuse of antibiotics in the sector, lack of regulations, ineffective enforcement, loose rules and inadequate surveillance and monitoring systems, which increase the availability and accessibility of antibiotics. Moreover, incorrect prescription, easy affordability and prolonged use of the same antibiotics also contribute to the increased ARB and ARGs in the African aquaculture industry. The ARB and ARGs existing in aquaculture are transferred to humans via aquaculture product contamination during handling and consumption of raw or undercooked food, horizontal and vertical gene transfers and direct contact with water or drinking contaminated water. The consequences of ARB and ARGs from aquaculture include increased infections, frequency of treatment failures, severe infections, prolonged duration of illness and increased frequency of bloodstream infections and hospitalisation. These make primary healthcare redundant for previously curable diseases, thereby increasing costs to society on treating cultured species and humans, leading to animal and human deaths. The information generated in the chapter calls for a “One Health” approach to combat ARB and ARGs while formulating stringent measures, legislations and regulations for antibiotics use in aquaculture, agriculture and sick patients to safeguard human health.