Pathogenic Mechanisms of Vibrio Species in Aquaculture

Vibrio species are Gram-negative marine bacteria that pose a significant threat to global aquaculture, causing vibriosis in a broad array of finfish and shellfish. Key pathogenic mechanisms include iron acquisition via specialised siderophores, secretion of toxins and enzymes through dedicated secretion systems, and evasion of host immune defences by modulating surface structures. Iron uptake is critical for bacterial growth in the iron-limited environment of the host, and Vibrio species employ multiple siderophore systems—some chromosomally encoded, others plasmid borne—to sequester ferric iron. Secretion systems, notably the type VI secretion system, inject effector proteins into host cells or competing bacteria, facilitating colonisation and niche establishment. Lipopolysaccharide O-antigen modifications hinder phagocytosis and complement activation, promoting survival in host tissues. Genomic islands and mobile genetic elements drive the diversification of virulence traits, underpinning the emergence of hypervirulent clades. Environmental factors such as temperature and salinity further regulate virulence gene expression, leading to seasonal outbreaks in fish farms. Integrated omics approaches have revealed complex regulatory networks that coordinate expression of siderophore biosynthesis, motility, toxin production and biofilm formation. Understanding these interlinked mechanisms is essential for developing targeted interventions—such as vaccines, probiotic treatments and iron-chelating agents—to mitigate Vibrio-induced losses and ensure sustainable aquaculture production.

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Pathogenic Mechanisms of Vibrio Species in Aquaculture publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in pathogenic mechanisms of vibrio species in aquaculture across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Siderophore: A low-molecular-weight iron-chelating molecule secreted by bacteria to scavenge ferric iron from the host environment.

Type VI Secretion System (T6SS): A multiprotein complex that translocates effector proteins directly into target cells, mediating both interbacterial competition and host manipulation.

Lipopolysaccharide O-Antigen: The variable polysaccharide portion of the outer membrane in Gram-negative bacteria that shields surface antigens and impairs host innate immunity.

Genomic Island: A discrete DNA segment, often acquired via horizontal gene transfer, that harbours clusters of genes encoding virulence factors, antibiotic resistance or metabolic pathways.

References

1. Comparative Genomic Analysis of Virulent Vibrio (Listonella) anguillarum Serotypes Revealed Genetic Diversity and Genomic Signatures in the O-Antigen Biosynthesis Gene Cluster. Microorganisms (2023).
2. Iron Acquisition Strategies of Vibrio anguillarum. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology (2017).
3. The Expression of Virulence Factors in Vibrio anguillarum Is Dually Regulated by Iron Levels and Temperature. Frontiers in Microbiology (2019).
4. Lipopolysaccharide O-Antigen Prevents Phagocytosis of Vibrio anguillarum by Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Skin Epithelial Cells. PLOS ONE (2012).
5. Secretion Systems in Gram-Negative Bacterial Fish Pathogens. Frontiers in Microbiology (2021).