Isolation and Characterization of Bacteriophages and Experimental Application of Bacteriophage Treatment to Fish in Rainbow Trout Farms in Karkamış Dam Lake

İngilizce (OpenAlex)

This study evaluated the isolation, characterization, and therapeutic efficacy of lytic bacteriophages targeting key bacterial pathogens associated with rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) aquaculture in Karkamış Dam Lake. Aeromonas sobria, Lactococcus garvieae, and Pseudomonas sp. were isolated from 35 net cages and two hatcheries, and their host-specific phages were designated Aes1, Lac1, and Pah1, respectively. Controlled in vivo challenge assays demonstrated that phage treatments resulted in relative percent survival (RPS) values of 28% for A. sobria and L. garvieae, and 25% for Pseudomonas sp. Phage administration significantly reduced cumulative mortality and delayed time-to-death compared to untreated controls (P<0.05). The findings support the applicability of bacteriophage therapy as a targeted biocontrol strategy and a promising alternative to antibiotics in aquaculture systems challenged by antimicrobial resistance. Future research should focus on phage cocktail development and optimization of dosing and delivery protocols to improve therapeutic performance and sustainability.