Antimicrobial Resistance in Aquaculture: Emerging Pathogens, Resistance Mechanisms, and Sustainable Alternatives

Aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing food production sectors worldwide and plays a crucial role in ensuring global food security. However, the increased use of antimicrobial agents for disease prevention and treatment has contributed to the emergence and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquatic environments. Resistant bacteria and antimicrobial resistance genes can spread among aquatic organisms, environmental reservoirs, and human populations, creating significant challenges for animal health, environmental sustainability, and public health. Recent studies have reported the occurrence of clinically important resistance determinants in aquatic pathogens and environmental bacteria, highlighting the need for improved surveillance and sustainable disease management strategies within aquaculture systems; however, knowledge gaps remain regarding the epidemiology, molecular mechanisms, environmental dissemination, and ecological impacts of resistant microorganisms in aquatic environments. In particular, the emergence of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), AmpC β-lactamases, carbapenemases, and other resistance determinants in aquaculture-associated bacteria requires greater scientific attention. This Research Topic will also explore recent advances in sustainable alternatives to conventional antibiotics, including probiotics, bacteriophages, vaccines, immunostimulants, phytochemicals, and microbial bioactive compounds. By bringing together multidisciplinary studies from microbiology, aquaculture, aquatic animal health, environmental science, and public health, this Research Topic seeks to improve understanding of AMR dynamics and promote innovative approaches for disease prevention and sustainable aquaculture production.We welcome Original Research Articles, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Perspectives, and Case Studies focusing on antimicrobial resistance in aquaculture and aquatic environments. Contributions addressing the occurrence, epidemiology, molecular mechanisms, and environmental dissemination of antimicrobial resistance are particularly encouraged. Topics of interest include antimicrobial-resistant aquatic pathogens, resistance gene transmission, biofilm-associated resistance, genomic and metagenomic approaches for AMR surveillance, One Health perspectives, and antimicrobial stewardship in aquaculture. We also encourage submissions exploring sustainable alternatives to antibiotics, including probiotics, bacteriophages, vaccines, immunostimulants, phytochemicals, and microbial bioactive compounds. The Research Topic aims to attract multidisciplinary contributions from aquatic animal health specialists, aquaculture researchers, environmental scientists, and public health experts. Topic editors: Debasmita Mohanty, Pande Gde Sasmita Julyantoro Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/82838/antimicrobial-resistance-in-aquaculture-emerging-pathogens-resistance-mechanisms-and-sustainable-alternatives