“Early Mortality Syndrome” (EMS), more technically known as acute hepatopancreatic necrosis syndrome (AHPNS), is disrupting production in the three major shrimp producing countries: China, Thailand and Vietnam. The EMS/AHPNS pathogen is a unique strain of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, infected by a phage, which causes it to release a potent toxin. EMS, being caused by a bacteria that is difficult to eradicate, requires a very different approach than WSSV for maintaining bio-security in shrimp production. Functional feeds containing gut health promotors deliver an adequate concentration of natural antimicrobial activities into the shrimp gut with every meal and could be an important component of any strategy to prevent bacterial diseases such as EMS. However, their success will depend on the efficacy of the selected gut health promotor against the pathogenic bacteria involved. Vibrio species, including Vibrio parahaemolyticus, appear to be highly sensitive to a natural feed additive composed of a synergistic blend of antimicrobial compounds (Sanacore GM). Recent research is shows that as well as direct bactericide/bacteriostatic effects, selected combinations of antimicrobial compounds are at the basis of more complex mechanisms to steer microbiota composition, i.e. Quorum Sensing (QS) disruption. QS disruptors are increasingly investigated as alternatives to antibiotics due to their efficacy at low concentrations and the low chance of bacteria developing resistance against these non-lethal molecules. Our research has shown that synergistic blends of natural antimicrobial compounds can function as powerful interrupters of bacterial QS signaling in a typical aquaculture pathogen such as Vibrio harveyi at concentrations well below minimal inhibitory concentrations.
Dr. Peter Coutteau, Business Unit Manager – Aquaculture, Nutriad International NV, Belgium
Peter Coutteau obtained a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences in 1992 at the Laboratory of Aquaculture & Artemia Reference Center, University of Gent, on the filter feeding biology of Artemia and bivalves. He continued his research at postdoc level on lipid nutrition of bivalves, fish and shrimp, publishing over 40 refereed papers in scientific journals. In 1997 he joined INVE Technologies NV, as head of research and product development in the aquaculture division. In 1999, he took up R&D for a new range of premixes and feed additives for grow-out feeds for fish and shrimp. From 2002-2008, he was product manager farm nutrition for INVE’s Business Unit Aquaculture, responsible for global product development and customer service for feed concentrates and additives for fish/shrimp feedmilling and farming. From 2006-2010, he was the general manager of the research company Caditec Testing SL (Cadiz, Spain). Since January 2009, Dr. Coutteau has been Manager of Nutriad’s Business Unit Aquaculture, directing the product development, customer service and implementation of sales objectives for a specialized portfolio of aquaculture additives.
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