Antibacterial Chemotherapeutants for Finfish Aquaculture: A Synopsis of Laboratory and Field Efficacy and Safety Studies

This review summarizes the extensive and disparate world literature pertaining to antibacterial chemotherapeutants which may be of use in finfish aquaculture. Currently, the veterinarian or fish health professional in the USA has only two legal antibacterials available, Terramycin for Fish® and Romet-30®, each with limited and specific indications for use including treatable fish species and pathogens. If an indicated bacterial pathogen is not sensitive to these chemotherapeutants, the producer has limited treatment options. Extralabel usage of these or other antibacterials is not permitted via the feed (currently the only practical route for treating large populations of fish) without specific U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval, including the Investigational New Animal Drug (INAD) process or an emergency INAD exemption. Research to develop and approve new antibacterials to treat commercial aquaculture species has identified specific fluoroquinolones (enrofloxacin, sarafloxacin), macrolides (erythromycin), penicillin derivatives (amoxicillin), and chloramphenicol-like (flofenicol) antibacterials as the best candidates for current registration efforts in the USA.