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Assessing the Potential of Bacteriophages as Biocontrol Agents in Controlling Vibrio Species Infesting Feeds and Larvae of Bivalve Molluscs
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Assessing the Potential of Bacteriophages as Biocontrol Agents in Controlling Vibrio Species Infesting Feeds and Larvae of Bivalve Molluscs

Siti S Hasmoni, D Ipek Kurtboke and Wayne A O'Connor
Australian Society for Microbiology Annual Scientific Meeting, 2012 (Brisbane, Australia, 01-Jul-2012–04-Jul-2012)
Australian Society for Microbiology Inc.
2012
url
http://www.asm2012.org/abstract/397.aspView
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Abstract

Microbiology Vibrio spp. biocontrol agents
Bacterial diseases caused by Vibrio spp. Have been reported to cause significant losses in bivalve cultures and in some countries antimicrobial agents or antibiotics are used routinely to control and eradicate the bacteria. This is not common practice in Australia, in part due to the threat that prolonged usage or improper handling of the antimicrobial agents can lead to the emergence of antibiotic resistant species. As a result, there is a need to find alternative approaches to prevent or control bacterial disease. Bacteriophages are highly specific bacterial viruses and only infect closely related groups of bacteria, without adverse effects on other species or the environment. To test the potential for bacteriophage application in Australian mollusc hatcheries, cultures of Vibrio spp. Were isolated from Sydney rock oyster larval feeds and tanks at the Port Stephen Fisheries Institute (PSFI) in Nelson Bay, New South Wales. The isolates were characterised using biochemical tests and molecular techniques and used as hosts to isolate bacteriophages from aquatic environments. Host specific bacteriophages were successfully isolated, concentrated and tested against Vibrio spp. In vitro. Findings indicate that Vibrio numbers declined after the introduction of the bacteriophages, suggesting that the application of bacteriophages as a biocontrol agent in bivalve mollusc culture may be feasible.

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