Flavobacterium in Costa Rica
Introduction
Aquaculture is a productive niche that takes strength in current ideologies and impacts the world economy from a positive perspective. Without a doubt, it is a space with a functionality still in development that promotes the economic sustainability of strategic areas, where production conditions are suitable. This kind of production has an important contribution in food security. To enter a little more detail, it is known that for 2016 aquaculture had a total production of 80 million tons of food according to FAO, 2018.
The national aquaculture production is in small proportion compared to the most developed countries in aquaculture worldwide, however, it has notable advantages such as the availability of fresh water thanks to its mountain ranges, the availability of a marine economic area of almost 600,000 km2 and a tropical climate that favor aquaculture exploitation according to the Peña & Chacón, 2019. Our country had a production of 20783 tons of aquaculture products for 2018, which translates as a contribution of 0.10% of national GDP, the most important production is based on four products: tilapia, shrimp, trout and pargo, respectively (according to the volume produced annually) (Peña & Chacón, 2019).
It is important to consider that, like all productive sectors on the planet, where a living being for consumption is exploited, aquaculture has challenges that sometimes make it difficult to achieve the desired production levels; and endanger the persistence of companies in the commercial sector. Among the most outstanding challenges are the pathologies exhibited by FAO, 2018. These cause decrease in productive indices, consistent with mortality rates that can be observed on a small scale from 1% or in losses of 90% lots of species such as Oncorhynchus mykiss, especially when they are in the fry phase and come infected with bacterial diseases to cite an example. The strategic aquaculture plan in Costa Rica, allows us to infer that our country has a deficit in terms of control and treatment of pathologies.
Flavobacterium
As far as Flavobacerium data, several considerations based on acquired knowledge due to what is expressed by various authors must be taken. Bacteria of this genre are usually prevalent in healthy fish as described by Mwega et al. (2018), or in asymptomatic fish according to Távara. It is important to take into consideration what the normal habitat of the bacteria is, this allows to show why its presence in healthy fish. Prieto et al. They state that flavobacterium is usually found in fresh waters, the same that are used for tilapia production. As expressed by Mwega et al. (2018), this kind of bacteria is not only common in fresh water, since they can be found in seawater, animals, plants and wastewater. Generating an analysis prior to what is stated by Mwega et al. (2018) In the corresponding article, various aspects are perceived. The productions where the samples are taken to carry out the study, are not in the high. This coincides with a response from bacteria, which can be better developed in organisms with a consistent depressed immune system, to the conditions of stress submitted.
Mwega et al. states that the target organ of these bacteria are gills, however, they can be located in kidneys and liver. The skin is another of the organs where it adheres.
The article itself seems enriching and necessary for anyone who is in professional preparation to be a veterinarian. Reason can be divided into various edges; Costa Rica, despite being currently with aquaculture productions, has not reached its full potential, therefore, in the near future they will be necessary veterinary doctors trained in the subject. The country has failures in the diagnosis and control of diseases, a point that is manifested in the new strategic plan proposed by Incopesca, which continues to show that professionals with knowledge on this subject are needed on this subject. This pathology affects the species oreochromis niloticus (Mwega et al., 2018), at this point it is importing to focus that as expressed by Peña and Chacón, 80% of national aquaculture production is based on Tilapia. Knowing about these diseases gives a plus as a professional and allows to extend the labor market to which the veterinarian can offer.
From an international approach there is an extremely remarkable point, in developing countries as Mwega et al well points. (2018), aquaculture production is not as technified as it should, so exposure to poorly performed management systems is common, this triggers stressful events in animals, which suppress the immune system and lead to the appearance of diseases such as Columnariosis (Morey, 2019) or flavobacteriosis, where the etiological agent is part of the genus Flavobacterium.Távara, states that the bacterial disease of cold water causes affectations in rainbow trout, where the etiological agent is flavobacterium psychrophilum, this pathology has worldwide distribution. What I show that it is necessary as a veterinarian to have a minimum knowledge about this kind of bacteria and the effects that can be caused, if you want to opt for positions in the international environment and gain prestige in terms of aquaculture.
Discussion
The incidence of pathologies caused by bacteria of the genus Flavobacterium reports worldwide, as stated by Távara (2019), however, it does not present any specific case in Costa Rica, however, as a hypothesis a relationship between the necessary characteristics can be generated For the development of bacteria exposed by Mwega et al. previously cited, in addition to high temperatures. Which increases the chances of lesions generated by organisms belonging to this genre, that have affected exploits of medium or small sizes and have not been reported or evaluated under scientific analysis, due to an economic issue or the low availability of professionals in the sector. Gonzales proposes that in the case of the Oncorhynchus mykiss bacteria generate an injury similar to leather seals and cause congestion in internal organs. Prieto et al. Evidence that in the case of the niloticus oreochromis exposed to flavobacterium columnare, tends to suffer necrosis at the gill level which affects the oxygenation of tissues.
Conclusions
Knowledge about the various etiological factors that can affect aquaculture farms, allows the veterinarian to have a broader labor market.
Research in Costa Rica on this kind of bacteria (Flavobacterium) is scarce or zero, which shows that there is a vacuum that can be occupied by future research from the National Technical University.
Costa Rican aquaculture exploitation remains in the process of development as well as the country, however, thanks to existing conditions, aquaculture can be enhanced at a high level with the incorporation of novel ideas and technification, point where veterinarians must take center stage.
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