FOOD-BORNE MICROBIAL PATHOGENS OF CULTURED AQUATIC SPECIES

This article provides a broad overview of microbial pathogens associat ed with marine and fresh water aquatic animals, including Vibrio speci es, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus iniae, Salmonella species, and Edw ardsiella tarda. Historically, cultured fish were not considered impor tant vectors of human pathogens. This situation is changing, partly du e to increasing animal densities as a consequence of a rapidly growing industry and partly due to increasing awareness by health care provid ers of pathogens in aquatic species that may result in human illness. Concerns facing the industry are also discussed along with possible so lutions.