Nanotechnologies in the Health Management of Aquatic Animal Diseases

Abstract

Aquaculture is a multimillion-dollar business. The aquaculture industry has been suffering huge economic losses due to outbreaks of microbial agents, including viral and bacterial pathogens, which have been a major constraint on aquaculture and its sustainability. Traditionally, antimicrobial agents and other disinfectant chemicals are mostly used to control microbial diseases in aquaculture. Various chemical disinfectants and conventional antimicrobial agents against infections are always associated with problems such as the development of multidrug resistance and adverse side effects in fishes. Over the last few decades, nanotechnology has emerged as one of the most promising technologies to control both viral and bacterial diseases of fish, shrimp, and other crustaceans in aquaculture. Nanoparticles are being used either as immunotherapeutic agents in the treatment of aquatic infectious diseases by site-specific and target-oriented drug and gene delivery, vaccination, or as diagnostic tools. The purpose of this chapter is to review the recent developments and applications of nanosized materials for the treatment of aquatic viral and bacterial infections. Such nanomedicines could revolutionize treatment in aquaculture to produce pathogen-free livestock production without the fear of antimicrobial resistance development.