ReviewThe use of probiotic bacteria against Aeromonas infections in salmonid aquaculture

- Fish pathogens of Aeromonas spp. cause huge mortality in salmonids.
- Probiotics are being increasingly used as prophylactic and therapeutic agents.
- Probiotics are one of the best alternatives to antimicrobial agents and they act as natural immune enhancers.
- Probiotics may be used in control of Aeromonas infections in salmonids.

Aeromonas species are ubiquitous bacteria in terrestrial and aquatic milieus. In salmonids, they are renowned as enteric pathogens causing haemorrhagic septicaemia, fin rot, soft tissue rot and furunculosis resulting in major die-offs and fish kills. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in controlling disease problems through alternative methods since the use of chemotherapeutic agents may lead to occurrence of resistant bacteria. Lactic acid bacteria may provide protection to create a hostile environment for pathogens. This review summarizes the current understanding of Aeromonas infection in salmonids and the use of probiotics in aquaculture for the purpose to prevent these pathogenic bacteria, including the definition and mechanism of probiotics action, and describes their application, prospects and difficulties associated with their use in aquaculture.