Antibiotic-resistant seafood bacterium found in Vietnam fish farming waters near popular island destination
A bacterium linked to seafood-related illness and capable of resisting multiple antibiotics has been detected in fish-farming waters near Cat Ba Island, Vietnam, according to a new study highlighting the importance of monitoring antibiotic resistance in aquaculture environments.
Scientists in Vietnam have discovered antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the waters near a popular tourist island, raising concerns about the spread of drug-resistant infections from seafood. The study, published in Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives, found strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a bacterium linked to seafood-related illness, in nearly one-quarter of water samples collected from fish farming areas around Cat Ba Island.
The bacterium was detected more frequently during the warmer summer months (35.1%) than in winter (14.5%), suggesting that rising temperatures may contribute to its growth. Of the bacterial isolates studied, 67.6% exhibited resistance to multiple antibiotics, including ampicillin, tetracycline, and erythromycin. Researchers also identified genetic markers associated with antibiotic resistance, which may help the bacteria persist or spread in marine environments.
The presence of biofilms—protective layers formed by bacteria on surfaces like nets and tanks—was more common in antibiotic-resistant strains, making them harder to eliminate. While the study tested water samples rather than seafood itself, the findings highlight the need for careful antibiotic use, regular environmental testing, and stronger hygiene measures throughout seafood production chains to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria.
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