CIBA develops virus-based product to curb bacterial disease in shrimps

CHENNAI: To help shrimp hatcheries control bacterial diseases without using antibiotics, the ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) has developed a bacteriophage-based product. The Chennai-based institute signed an MoU with Salem Microbes Private Limited, Salem, to transfer the technology so as to promote it among the shrimp farming community.

The ‘phage prophylaxis and therapy’ developed by the institute is based on bacteriophages, which are viruses that kill only specific disease-causing bacteria and control bacterial infections, said scientists from CIBA. It would leave no residual issues unlike in the case of antibiotics, and has the advantage of being specific to their host bacteria without harming other micro-organisms.

“In aquaculture hatcheries, bacterial diseases like vibriosis often cause considerable economic loss to hatchery operators across the globe. CIBA’s new product will be of great use in preventing and controlling such diseases in aquaculture, especially in shrimp hatcheries,” said Dr SV Alavandi, principal scientist and head of Aquatic Animal Health and Environment Division of CIBA.

The product has a ‘cocktail of phages’ which can neutralise a wide range of pathogenic bacteria that cause diseases and is helpful in replacing antibiotics that pose risk of residues and antimicrobial resistance, added CIBA Director Dr KK Vijayan.

To popularise the product through large-scale commercial production and marketing, CIBA signed an MoU to transfer to technology to Salem Microbes Private Limited.