Innovative Veterinary Solutions for Antimicrobial Resistance (InnoVet-AMR) InnoVet-AMR, a partnership between the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the UK government’s Department of Health and Social Care as part of the Global AMR Innovation Fund (GAMRIF), is funding research on innovative veterinary solutions to reduce the use of antimicrobials in livestock, poultry and aquaculture operations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). A CAD28.4 million partnership spanning four years (2023-2027), InnoVet-AMR supports building effective partnerships to better coordinate discovery, development and sustainable delivery of innovative veterinary solutions. It supports 14 research projects focused on developing alternatives to antimicrobials with impact across Asia, Latin America and Africa.
Learn more
www.idrc-crdi.ca/initiative/innovet-amr-innovative-veterinary-solutions-antimicrobial-resistance
Why focus on antimicrobial resistance in animals? Why now? Antimicrobials are substances, some of which can be used to kill or inhibit growth of bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi and other microbes.
When microorganisms acquire resistance to antimicrobial drugs, medications become less effective at inhibiting or eliminating the pathogens, complicating the treatment of infections in both humans and animals. The misuse and overuse of antimicrobials are the primary factors accelerating the development of such resistance. Reducing antimicrobial use and increasing preventive measures in food-producing animals is not only a crucial step in safeguarding public health but also an agricultural priority.
1.27 million human deaths directly attributed to bacterial AMR in 2019. This could rise to 1.9 million annually by 2050 with South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa expected to bear the heaviest burden.
While most AMR pathogens are transmitted from human to human, over 20% of transmission is from meat, seafood or contact with farm animals, and over 20% of human deaths from AMR are linked or partially linked to foodborne illnesses.
In 2017, the World Bank estimated that by 2050, livestock production in LMICs could decline by up to 11% in a high AMR-impact scenario.
What alternatives to antimicrobials is InnoVet-AMR investing in? The most effective strategies to delay the AMR crisis in animals involve the judicious use of existing antimicrobials and the implementation of robust infection prevention and control measures. The InnoVet-AMR program supports research that will identify and develop preventive and therapeutic innovative veterinary solutions to improve health, while reducing the use of antimicrobials in ruminants, poultry and aquaculture operations in LMICs. These new technologies and approaches will contribute to reducing the emerging risk of AMR in food-producing animals and its possible impact on global health and food security by offering farmers different choices for treatment of their animals.
Vaccines
Polypeptid es
Husbandry
Phages
1
Probiotics
Phytochemicals Bacteriocins
Benefits Addressing AMR in animal health yields several long-term benefits
Global Health Security
Mitigating AMR in animals reduces the risk of increasing AMR in humans and the environment. It helps to enhance preparedness against future global threats.
Sustainable Food Systems
Economic Stability
Healthy animals contribute to sustainable food production. Prudent antimicrobial use in livestock promotes animal health and productivity, ensuring a stable and safe food supply.
Controlling AMR mitigates potential economic losses in agriculture and health-care sectors associated with resistant infections.
Enhanced Animal Welfare
Environmental Preservation
Maintaining animal health through responsible antimicrobial use and preventive care not only reduces AMR but also safeguards higher standards of animal welfare, leading to improved quality of life for livestock and ensuring high productivity.
Minimizing antimicrobial usage reduces the contamination of ecosystems, helping to maintain environmental balance and reduce of the potential of antimicrobial resistance gene transfer.
2
How is InnoVet-AMR reducing the threat of AMR in animal health?
InnoVet-AMR’s Overall Objective To minimize the development of AMR in livestock, poultry and aquaculture — and the threat it poses to human health — through the prudent and reduced use of antimicrobials in LMICs by supporting the development and uptake of innovative veterinary products.
InnoVet-AMR’s Specific Objectives
1. To support research that will identify and develop prophylactic and therapeutic innovative veterinary solutions — including vaccines — to improve health, while reducing the use of antimicrobials in ruminants and aquaculture operations in LMICs.
3
ã IDRC / Bartay
ã IDRC / Bartay
2. To build effective, gender-balanced partnerships to better contribute to the discovery and development of innovative veterinary solutions to reduce the use of antimicrobials in ruminants and aquaculture operations in LMICs.
InnoVet-AMR provides innovation support
Innovations must pass through several processes including discovery, proof of concept, exploratory development and full development before they can reach the stage of regulatory approval and commercialization. InnoVet-AMR ensures that researchers have the tools and resources they need to successfully complete the commercialization process and turn innovative ideas into practical solutions by providing support such as:
Product development & commercialization
Quality systems and regulatory requirement
IP & Nagoya Protocol
Gender and social inclusion
Knowledge translation
4
Where does InnoVet-AMR support research? InnoVet-AMR has 14 research projects across 32 institutions globally.
Brazil
Ethiopia
Cuba • The University of Waterloo (subgrantee: Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología) • University of Alberta • University of Prince Edward Island
• Vaxinano • Embrapa
• The Illinois University • National Veterinary Institute
Technology Antimicrobial peptides
Technology
Technology Vaccine
Thermoregulation / antimibrobial peptides
Kenya • Université Laval • International Livestock Research Institute (Jomo Kenyatta)
Technology Bacteriophages
Pakistan
Malaysia
Thailand • University of Montreal • University of Alberta • Thammasat University Technology Vaccine
•
Nigeria • Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA) • University of Ilorin • Royal Holloway University of London (RHUL)
• Universiti Putra Malaysia
Asian Institute of Technology Nanobubbles, Vaccine
• •
National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) Kasetsart University
Bacteriophages
Technology Probiotics
Technology Bacteriocins
(quorum quenching)
Vietnam
Tanzania, DR Congo
Tunisia
• University of Purdue • University of the Punjab • University of Sargodha
• Sokoine University of Agriculture • University of Kinshasa • McGill University
• University of Laval • Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle • The Higher Institute of Applied Biological Sciences of Tunis
Technology Bacteriophages/ nutraceuticals
Technology Phytochemicals
Technology Bacteriocins
5
• Univesrity of Sterling • Southern Monitoring Centre for Aquaculture Environment and Epidemic (MCE) Technology Vaccine •
Vietnam National University Probiotics
ã Adobe Stock / #330354740
How are InnoVet-AMR projects finding alternatives to reduce the use of antimicrobials?
vaccines, the incidence of disease in pigs is controlled by extensive and routine use of antimicrobials as control/preventive measures. Recent research has established a proof-of-concept vaccine that protects pigs against S. suis serotype 2, the most common type worldwide. Unfortunately, standard production methods are complex, resulting in high-cost vaccines. Recent advances in chemical synthesis and formulation design have spawned a new generation of carbohydrate-based vaccines that overcome many of the limitations associated with traditional vaccines. The major outcome of this project is the development of an innovative vaccine strategy to produce a new-generation, low-cost vaccine to reduce both preventive and curative use of antimicrobials in low- and middle-income countries.
InnoVet-AMR 2.0 is funding the following projects:
Novel vaccine design as an alternative to antimicrobial use for preventing and controlling the swine and zoonotic agent Streptococcus suis Lead institution: Université of Montreal (Canada), University of Alberta (Canada) and Thammasat University (Thailand)
Bacteriocins - a promising natural alternative to antibiotics for poultry production in Tunisia Vaccine
Swine
Lead institution: Université Laval (Canada), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (France), the Higher Institute of Applied Biological Sciences of Tunis (Tunisia)
Country of Impact: Thailand Abstract: Streptococcus suis (S. suis) causes significant economic losses to the swine industry and raises concerns about animal welfare. This organism is also an emerging zoonotic pathogen (able to leap from animal to human) and is a niche of antimicrobial resistance genes of public health concern, notably in East Asian countries such as Thailand. In the absence of commercial
Bacteriocins
6
Poultry
Country of Impact: Tunisia
Vaccination is necessary to improve the health and welfare of the fish, reduce pathogen load, improve vaccination efficacy and provide farmers with a cost-effective and viable alternative to antibiotics.
Abstract: Bacteriocins are peptides naturally produced by several bacterial strains and endowed with antimicrobial activity against bacteria that are phytogenetically similar to the production strain. The inhibitory capacity of bacteriocins has been widely demonstrated in several meat and plant products. Recently, bacteriocins are increasingly mentioned as one of the most promising alternatives to antibiotics in the fight against multidrug-resistant germs in animal production. However, despite the extensive literature on bacteriocins, scientific data on the safety of these molecules for humans and animals is scarce.
Although a commercially available pangasius vaccine was released in 2013, farmers in Vietnam have been slow to adopt the product. However, new policies and laws introduced in 2017 that restrict antimicrobial use have highlighted the need for solutions to ensure compliance. This requires an understanding of the barriers that deter the widespread adoption of vaccines. Currently, there are no tools to detect immune responses for pangasius, but this is a necessity to advance vaccine development and delivery mechanisms. This project will test two novel technologies to improve the vaccination process. A polyvalent immersion vaccine will be designed to protect against two important bacterial pathogens affecting the Vietnamese catfish industry, and robotic immunization technology will reduce fish handling and stress during the vaccination process.
For the purposes of this research program, the team will adopt a multidisciplinary approach combining in vitro analysis, in vivo testing, microbiology, genomics, functional proteomics and metabolomics to study the potential of bacteriocins as a therapeutic and prophylactic alternative to antibiotics in poultry production. This project will generate rigorous scientific evidence and data on the potential for bacteriocins to replace antibiotics to protect against Salmonella and E. coli in poultry operations in developing countries, where antibiotics are still commonly used. Besides their potential to control certain common infections, bacteriocins may also be used to improve the performance of animals, thereby increasing profitability while reducing antibiotic resistance.
Applications of nanobubbles to reduce antibiotic use in aquaculture Lead institution: Asian Institute of Technology (Thailand)
Polyvalent vaccine for freshwater catfish (Pangasius)
Nanobubbles and vaccines
Lead institution: University of Sterling (United Kingdom), and Southern Monitoring Center for Aquaculture Environment and Epidemic (Vietnam)
Vaccine
Fish
Country of Impact: Thailand Abstract: Nanobubble technology in aquaculture has gone from an idea to practice in less than five years. The larger aquaculture industries have embraced this technology for its ability to increase dissolved oxygen rapidly and efficiently in water. In fact, in the last few years, there are at least two large technology companies that make nanobubblers specifically for aquaculture use. Research suggests that nanobubbles can do more than increase dissolved oxygen on fish farms. It was found that if ozone is used to make bubbles, it can reduce bacteria in the water, increase survival of fish during disease outbreaks and increase the immune response from immersion vaccines.
Fish
Country of Impact: Vietnam Abstract: A 2016 survey by the Vietnamese Department of Animal Health found that 80% of the country’s pangasius (freshwater catfish) farmers dispensed a cocktail of antibiotics to the fish throughout the production cycle. Given this frequent use of antibiotics, the World Organization for Animal Health identified pangasius as an aquaculture species that could benefit from vaccination.
This project will evaluate these novel applications for ozone nanobubbles in commercial aquaculture settings.
7
Specifically, it will develop a vaccination protocol with the use of nanobubbles that improves the response to immersion vaccines for large-scale vaccination of tilapia fish in commercial farms. The project will also evaluate and develop a protocol for using ozone nanobubbles in commercial ponds to reset the microbial community and enhance the efficacy of probiotics. Lastly, it will transfer this knowledge by training small farmer operators and making these machines available to them through their veterinary practice as well as conducting industry workshops for both farmers and fish health professionals.
from avian colibacillosis. This project is supporting the optimized production and clinical effectiveness of this nanovaccine by producing the first industrial vaccine batch and testing the in-vivo safety, immunogenicity and effective protection in chicks. The research team is working closely with poultry producer cooperatives and aims to influence the uptake of the technology in the smaller producers in the southern part of Brazil. The major outcome of the project is the generation of an innovative new formulated, low-cost nanovaccine (below one cent per dose) as well as the validation of consistency and potency of the nanovaccine at the semi-industrial scale to reduce both preventive and curative use of antimicrobials in low- and middle-income countries.
Scale-up of the bioproduction process of an in ovo nanovaccine to protect broilers against avian colibacillosis in poultry farms in lowand middle-income countries
Enhancing Sustainability in Shrimp Aquaculture through Microalgae-Bacteria System with Quorum Sensing Inhibition Properties
Lead institution: Vaxinano (France), Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (Brazil)
Lead institution: Universiti Putra Malaysia (Malaysia)
Vaccine
Poultry Probiotics (quorum quenching)
Country of Impact: Brazil Abstract: Avian colibacillosis is one of the most prevalent diseases in the poultry industry, particularly in tropical areas like Brazil, resulting in high rates of morbidity and mortality on poultry farms and leading to substantial economic losses, negative impacts on animal welfare and risks to human health. With the global consumption of chicken meat rising, poultry production has been pushed to intensive practices, mainly in low- and middle-income countries where this industry is in great expansion. This growth increases the level of risk, but the only available vaccine in the veterinary market against avian colibacillosis has a low efficacy rate of 30-40%. Moreover, its use in chicks has potential hazards and risks of persistent contamination. The use of antimicrobials is a widespread alternative for disease management in poultry operations, but this is raising concerns about antimicrobial resistance.
Shrimp
Country of Impact: Malaysia Abstract: Shrimp aquaculture is threatened by an array of diseases primarily attributed to the intensification of the industry, causing stress to the aquatic animal and creating a conducive environment for pathogenic Vibrio (bacterial) proliferations. Although banned in various countries, antibiotics are still available to aquaculture farmers off the shelf. During a disease outbreak, these antimicrobial agents are administered either in water or incorporated into shrimp feed. However, several Vibrio species from different geographical regions are now resistant to various antibiotics. Research indicates that probiotics with quorum sensing inhibition, or QSI, properties (properties that block communication between bacteria and reduce their impact) have the potential to reduce shrimp infections by either administering them in feed or in water. Both technologies have been shown to promote a high growth rate and protective effects when challenged with Vibrio pathogens.
The use of bio-based nanoparticles has been widely explored in vaccinology to increase the safety and efficacy of vaccines. More than 15 years of development and optimization of nanovaccines have resulted in a candidate that demonstrates an 80% efficacy rate in protecting chicks
This project will explore the best management practices in shrimp husbandry on the use of algae flocs with QSI
8
properties that could improve growth, water quality and tolerance towards diseases while reducing the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance. It will validate the safety of the technology, investigate antibiotic resistance genes dissemination and compare genetic strains to determine regional variances. The socio-economic value of algaebiofloc in shrimp farming, including women’s involvement, will also be studied. It is hoped that the findings of the project will contribute to a standard protocol of costeffective, easily adoptable natural solutions that can reduce the use of antibiotics in shrimp aquaculture.
additives. A series of large animal trials in Pakistan will also rigorously assess the safety of the different prototypes and their combinations while pursuing scalable purification processes. Additionally, the study will measure the likelihood of adoption of the different prototypes and develop a road map detailing the requirements necessary to market developed prototypes as new animal drugs feed additives. The goals are to reduce the use of antibiotics by Pakistani poultry producers, prevent or control key poultry bacterial infections endemic in Pakistan and improve the sustainability of poultry operations.
Reducing antibiotic resistance through the commercialization and adoption of nonantibiotic methods to control bacterial infections in Pakistani poultry production
Harnessing bacteriophages for mastitis prevention in Kenya in goats Lead institution: Université Laval (Canada), International Livestock Research Institute (sub-grantee: Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya)
Lead institution: University of Purdue (USA), University of Punjab (Pakistan), University of Sargodha (Pakistan)
Bacteriophage Bacteriophages / Nutraceuticals
Poultry
Goat
Country of Impact: Kenya Abstract: In Kenya, there are approximately 28 million goats, representing the country’s most abundant livestock resource. Mastitis (inflammation of the mammary gland) is a critical health issue for animals. It affects the reproductive health of goats and has a negative impact on greenhouse gas emissions, posing a multifaceted challenge. Staphylococcus sp. has been identified as the primary bacterial cause of mastitis in goats, of which significant isolates have demonstrated resistance to clinically relevant antibiotics.
Country of Impact: Pakistan Abstract: The Pakistani poultry industry is the 11th largest in the world and poultry products are a key source of highquality and accessible protein for communities throughout the country. Currently, the Pakistani poultry industry utilizes significant amounts of antibiotics to control bacterial threats as well as to improve growth efficiencies and maintain profitability. This overuse of antibiotics contributes to the global challenge of antibiotic resistance and, as such, seriously threatens the resilience of Pakistani poultry producers.
To combat this issue, and in response to the pressing need for an effective and sustainable solution to address antimicrobial resistance in ruminant farming practices, this project will develop bacteriophage (a virus that destroys bacteria)-based solutions for the efficient management of mastitis in goats. The plan is to isolate novel Staphylococcus phages from Kenyan goats and milk samples and leverage currently available supplies of these phages. The plan will be to evaluate the efficacy of combinations of phages in vitro as well as in mastitis infection models involving both mice and goats to refine the phage-based therapy for field application.
Research during the first phase of this project identified safe and effective polyphage treatments that both reduced targeted bacterial concentrations and mortality rates. It also demonstrated that feeding chickens diets supplemented with mango seed kernel extract utilizing an optimized ultrasound-assisted extraction method may enhance chicken growth performance and efficiencies. The research proposed for this phase is designed to facilitate advancing these phage and nutraceutical prototypes and their combinations to Pakistani markets as new feed
9
This project goes beyond laboratory research by examining the socio-economic impact of mastitis in goat farming and how phage technology could be a sustainable solution to empower women goat farmers. The multifaceted endeavour is driven by the need to enhance goat health, safeguard livelihoods and promote sustainable agriculture in Kenya.
network for evidence-based AMR policy in Thailand as well as other low- and middle-income countries.
Advanced approach toward a highly efficient indigenous probiotics to reduce antibiotic usage for development of a sustainable shrimp aquaculture in Vietnam
ShrimpGuard Development of phage associated formulation to combat antimicrobial resistant Vibrio spp in cultured shrimp
Lead institution: Vietnam National University (Vietnam)
Lead institution: National Science and Technology Development Agency (Thailand) and Kasetsart University (Thailand)
Bacteriophage
Probiotics
Shrimp
Country of Impact: Vietnam Abstract: Overuse and misuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics in aquaculture practices, especially in shrimp aquaculture in many developing countries, are leading to the emergence and spread of AMR among microbes and pathogens. This trend is threatening the effective treatment and prevention of infections in aquatic-cultured species, resulting in disease outbreaks and massive economic loss in coastal areas. Currently, probiotics containing beneficial gut microbes are being widely used in shrimp aquaculture as an ecologically appropriate alternative to reduce infections and increase shrimp productivity. However, most microbes used for current probiotics originate from somewhere other than the shrimp gut, resulting in insufficient persistence and proliferation in the brackish environment and in gastrointestinal ecology.
Shrimp
Country of Impact: Thailand Abstract: Shrimp farming plays an important economic, social and food security role in many developing countries. Antimicrobials have been widely used by farmers to mitigate vibriosis, a bacterial infection devastating the aquaculture industry during cultivation. The constant exposure to antimicrobials and inappropriate waste management have led to substantially increased AMR and associated bacterial persistence. The future of antimicrobials lies in the development of innovative biosourced molecules.
This project’s objective is to develop shrimp probiotics from wild shrimp to control vibriosis on shrimp farms. The research team will investigate the gut microbiota in juvenile and subadult individuals of wild-caught and cultured shrimps collected from different geographic locations in Vietnam. This work will be performed with the inclusion of farmers to demonstrate the efficacy and reliability of the candidate product in production conditions. The efficiency of these new indigenous probiotics will be demonstrated in the increased survival rate and productivity of cultured shrimp by stimulating the immune responses of shrimp, suppressing pathogens and improving water quality. The project will also develop procedures for mass production of the selected probiotic strain and investigate the possibility of registration and commercialization of the new probiotic product.
This project, which is being implemented in Thailand, aims to develop a formulation (ShrimpGuard) that will be a specific bacteria-killing mechanism of bacteriophages and a non-specific activation of immunity to improve shrimp health. The efficacy will be tested at the laboratory, pilot and hatchery levels to optimize the most effective, environmentally safe and practical protocol of its use, including in settings affected by climate change. The project emphasizes gender equity and women’s empowerment. It will also include a seminar series with industry, farmers and academics aimed at enhancing awareness and potential solutions for AMR and ShrimpGuard formulation and platform development. This will strengthen a multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral
10
11
Novel therapeutics leads as alternatives to antibiotics to control bacterial infection in ruminants
Bacteriocins
Country of Impact: Nigeria
Lead institution: University of Illinois (USA), National Veterinary Institute (Ethiopia)
Antimicrobial peptides
Dairy ruminants and fish
Abstract: Several compounds have been proposed in recent years as alternatives to antibiotics. Among them, antimicrobial peptides are one of the promising replacements for antibiotics, including those produced by bacteria called bacteriocins. However, the existing bacteriocins are subjected to costly purification procedures that are not feasible for application in low- and middleincome countries.
Dairy ruminants
Country of Impact: Ethiopia Abstract: The dairy productivity of Ethiopian cattle is largely affected by neonatal mortality caused by infectious diseases. Bovine colibacillosis caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (E coli) is mainly responsible for diarrhea in calves. Currently, antimicrobials are the main line of treatment for bovine colibacillosis. The emergence of multidrug-resistant E coli strains, responsible for high mortality and morbidity, demonstrates an urgent need for the development of alternative antimicrobials. The central hypothesis of this research project is that small molecule inhibitors and antimicrobial peptides targeting the outer membrane proteins of E coli can be developed into safe and effective therapies for multidrug-resistant infections. The main objective is to develop an innovative delivery system and evaluate its efficacy, safety and applicability against bovine colibacillosis. The study outcomes can lead to a more effective means for managing calf diarrhea in Ethiopia, which will promote sustainable animal agriculture, improve food security and reduce reliance on antibiotics. These findings will have broader implications for mitigating antimicrobial resistance in other low- and middle-income countries.
This project, implemented in Nigeria, will develop a novel rapid and affordable technology to produce bacteriocinrich extract as an alternative to antibiotics in ruminants and aquaculture. Field trials using this extract in therapeutic and prophylactic use against S. aureus and S. agalactiae infections in dairy ruminants and S. agalactiae infections in farmed tilapia will be done. The identification of the factors influencing the treatment of the infections and an assessment of the costs and benefits of using bacteriocinrich extract will add to the findings and provide the basis for knowledge transfer and training in low- and middleincome countries. 13
Development of COMMI nano formulation from Commiphora plants resins for innovative treatment of mastitis in dairy animals Lead institution: Sokoine University of Agriculture (Tanzania), Université de Kinshasha (DR Congo), McGill University (Canada)
12
Developing bacteriocin-rich extract from engineered lactic acid bacteria as an antibiotic alternative in ruminants and aquaculture
Phytochemicals
Dairy ruminants
Country of Impact: Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Lead institution: Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (Spain), University of Ilorin (Nigeria), Royal Holloway University of London (United Kingdom)
Abstract: Mastitis (inflammation of the mammary gland) is a common and economically significant disease in dairy animals that leads to decreased milk production, increased veterinary costs and potential culling of affected animals. Current treatment options for mastitis are often costly,
11
time-consuming and only partially effective. The aim of this study is to develop a novel nano formulation using the resin from Commiphora plants for the treatment of mastitis in dairy animals.
as humans. Vaccines for finfish are still not very effective and current vaccines that show efficacy are generally costly, especially for small-scale producers or those in low- and middle-income countries.
The research will involve the extraction of resin from Commiphora plants, followed by characterization of its chemical composition and antibacterial activity. The resin will then be processed into a nano formulation, which will be evaluated for its physicochemical, stability and in-vitro antimicrobial activity against common mastitis-causing pathogens. Further experiments to evaluate the efficacy of the developed nano formulation in the field will assess its ability to penetrate mammary tissue, reduce bacterial load, alleviate inflammation and promote tissue healing. Additionally, the safety and potential side effects of the nano formulation will be investigated. The project objectives will be achieved through cross-sectional, longitudinal and experimental study designs that will involve selected farmer groups.
What is required are simple, low-technology, costeffective solutions that can improve fish health and disease outcomes in aquaculture species. These species rely on the water surrounding them for regulation of their body temperature. Sudden changes can induce disease outbreaks; however, recent research has shown that variation in water temperature can be exploited by fish, and perhaps other organisms, to improve their response to diseases. This project will test whether mechanical thermoregulation in hatchery and pond settings can decrease the use of antibiotics and improve the effectiveness of complementary treatments for tilapia and shrimp.
14
Dynamic thermoregulation as an alternative to antibiotics Lead institution: University of Waterloo (Canada) (subgrantee: Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología, Cuba), University of Alberta (Canada), University of Prince Edward Island (Canada)
Thermoregulation/ Antimicrobial peptides
Fish and shrimp
Country of Impact: Cuba Abstract: Aquaculture ensures a reliable source of highquality food products for humanity. However, the annual global aquaculture industry’s losses of fish and shrimp are significant. Disease outbreaks caused by parasitic, viral and bacterial infections cost approximately USD50 billion (approximately CAD70 billion) a year. Common methods to treat infections in aquaculture include vaccines and the use of antibiotics in both a prophylactic and therapeutic manner, although antibiotics are useless for viral infections and prolonged use can lead to the emergence of resistant bacterial strains. Antibiotic resistance makes it difficult for fish and shrimp farmers to treat bacterial infections and represents a real risk to the health of other species, as well
12
Funding Partnership This work is carried out with the aid of funding from the Government of Canada’s International Development Research Centre, Ottawa, Canada and the Government of the United Kingdom’s Global AMR Innovation Fund (GAMRIF), part of the Department of Health and Social Care. Website: InnoVet-AMR: Innovative Veterinary Solutions for Antimicrobial Resistance | IDRC - International Development Research Centre Contact: innovetamr@idrc.ca Website: The Global AMR Innovation Fund - GOV.UK Contact: GlobalAMRInnovationFund@dhsc.gov.uk
13