Antibiotic Resistance and Pathogenicity of <i>Vibrio</i> Species in Aquaculture: Implications for Fish Health and Food Safety in LMICs

Abstract

Vibrio spp. are associated with widespread outbreaks linked to contaminated water and seafood. They are naturally present in aquatic habitats, including seawater, brackish water and freshwater environments. These marine environments serve as key reservoirs of antimicrobial-resistant genes, facilitating the transmission of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria to marine animals and humans through the aquatic food chain. This review investigates the prevalence, virulence characteristics, detection methods and antibiotic resistance mechanisms of pathogenic Vibrio species found in fish and aquaculture environments. The literature published between 2016 and 2025 was gathered from PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar, using keywords related to Vibrio species, aquaculture, antibiotic resistance and fish health. The rising incidence of antimicrobial-resistant Vibrio species poses a dual threat to aquaculture sustainability and public health. To reduce seafood contamination and health risks, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), there is an urgent need for improved molecular diagnostic tools, targeted intervention strategies and enhanced surveillance. There is an urgent call for advanced molecular diagnostic tools, targeted interventions and enhanced surveillance to mitigate seafood contamination and associated health risks. The findings have vital implications for veterinary medicine, underscoring veterinarians' roles in disease prevention, antimicrobial resistance monitoring and the promotion of responsible antibiotic use in aquaculture.