A new disease control product based on naturally occurring viruses that target bacteria has been launched by aquaculture company, STIM.
Bacteriophages are nature’s own biocontrol system. They are found everywhere, in food and on our bodies, targeting specific bacteria to ensure that none becomes dominant. STIM launched what is thought to be the world’s first product based on bacteriophages in 2018 along with sister company ACD Pharma. It was used to eliminate the bacteria which causes yersiniosis in salmon and was shown to be highly effective.
This latest product, news of which broke at STIM’s Lofoten Seminar last week, will be used to combat the Moritella viscosa bacterium which attacks the skin of fish causing sores and sepsis.
“Field tests remain but we fully expect it to be equally as effective as our first bacteriophage product,” said director of research and development, Hans Petter Kleppen.
Outbreaks of Moritella are on the rise, thought to be linked to mutations which make current vaccines less effective. “Developing a vaccine takes a long time and we do not want to go back to using antibiotics in the amounts we did in the 80s and early 90s,” said STIM chief executive, Jim Roger Nordly.
When Yersinia bacteriophages are added to wellwater, the number of Yersinia ruckeri bacteria drops to undetectable amounts and STIM believes the effects will be repeated for the new product. Moritella viscosa thrives in colder temperatures so STIM is working to have the new product available by the winter.
