Effects of florfenicol feeding on diversity and composition of the intestinal microbiota of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

Authors: ABDELHAMED, HOSSAM - Mississippi State University; OZDEMIR, OZAN - Mississippi State University; Waldbieser, Geoffrey - Geoff; PERKINS, ANDY - Mississippi State University; LAWRENCE, MARK - Mississippi State University; KARSI, ATTILA - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: Journal of Aquaculture Research and Development
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/26/2019
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Catfish aquaculture in the US Southeastern states is the most important aquaculture in the United States. This manuscript investigated the extent to which florfenicol modulates intestinal microbial populations of channel catfish. This study provides knowledge about changes in gut microbiota during medicated feed administration, which is important to improve fish performance and disease management and could enable the development of alternative therapeutic strategies.

Technical Abstract: BACKGROUND: Channel catfish farming is very important aquaculture industry in the Southern states of the USA. Intestinal microbiota (bacteria that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract) plays an important role in catfish health. However, the influence of florfenicol treatment on the intestinal microbiota of catfish have not been unidentified. The aim of the present research was to use high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing to explore changes in the intestinal microbiota of catfish following florfenicol administration in the feed. METHOD: Florfenicol was administered orally to catfish at a standard therapeutic dose, and the intestinal contents were collected and the 16S rRNA was subjected to Illumina sequencing. RESULTS: Alpha diversity analysis indicated that florfenicol significantly decreased microbiota richness and diversity. Beta diversity reflected a clear separation had occurred between the florfenicol-fed and control groups. Results indicated a significant increase in the abundance of phylum Proteobacteria and decrease in phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in the florfenicol-fed fish in comparison with the control fish. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the intestinal microbiota of catfish was sensitive to medicated feed. Understanding the factors that influence the composition of catfish microbiota is important to improve fish performance and may enable the development of new therapeutic strategies.