Aquaculture is now the main source of seafood in human diets and is one of its fastest‐growing industries worldwide. However, the industry is facing several difficulties, including infectious diseases, the most significant limiting factor for aquaculture expansion. The impact of diseases on aquaculture growth, fecundity, mortality rates, and marketability is profound. Hence, the ability to predict disease outbreaks is crucial to overcoming these challenges. Various infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites can cause significant losses of fish in intensive aquaculture practices. In an aquaculture environment, the high host density coupled with restricted water flow promotes pathogen spread. Early detection of disease is crucial for farmers as mortality rates can reach as high as 100% if left untreated. Therefore, new techniques and technical solutions for disease management in aquaculture are required. In this context, data analytics technologies, such as internet of things (IoT) sensors, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, allow farmers to proactively monitor their farms and detect potential disease outbreaks before they strike. Here, we highlighted the potential of machine learning algorithms in early pathogen detection and the possibilities of intelligent aquaculture in controlling disease outbreaks at the farm level. IoT is currently a popular study topic for smarter and sustainable aquaculture, as seen by the growing interest and broad overall assumptions. Therefore, this review aims to provide comprehensive information on the various aspects and challenges associated with modern technologies for controlling pathogenic microorganisms, as well as the potential benefits of using the IoT to improve fish health and welfare in aquaculture.

Scientists have discovered many ways to treat bacteria, viruses, and parasites in aquaculture; however, there is still an impossibility in finding a permanent solution for all types of diseases. In that case, the CRISPR-Cas genome-editing technique can be the potential solution to preventing diseases for aquaculture sustainability. CRISPR-Cas is cheaper, easier, and more precise than the other existing genome-editing technologies and can be used as a new disease treatment tool to solve the far-reaching challenges in aquaculture. This technique may now be employed in novel ways, such as modifying a single nucleotide base or tagging a location in the DNA with a fluorescent protein. This review paper provides an informative discussion on adopting CRISPR technology in aquaculture disease management. Starting with the basic knowledge of CRISPR technology and phages, this study highlights the development of RNA-guided immunity to combat the Chilodonella protozoan group and nervous necrosis virus (NNV) in marine finfish. Additionally, we highlight the immunological application of CRISPR-Cas against bacterial diseases in channel catfish and the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in shrimp. In addition, the review summarizes a synthesis of bioinformatics tools used for CRISPR-Cas sgRNA design, and acceptable solutions are discussed, considering the limitations.

This review aims to provide an update on the current scientific understanding of various aspects of White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) formation, diagnostic procedures, transmission, ecological effects, pathophysiology and management strategies. In terms of production and financial benefits, the WSSV has been the most virulent in shrimp and several other crustacean sectors around the globe. It spreads vertically from diseased broodstock to post‐larvae and horizontally by cannibalism, invertebrate vectors, freshwater and sediments. In the transfer of white spot disease (WSD) in newly stocked ponds, the survivability of WSSV in sediment is the most important variable. In typical cultural conditions, it is a highly infectious pathogen capable of inflicting total death within 3–10 days after an outbreak. Some of the current biosecurity strategies used to keep diseases out of shrimp ponds such as pond water disinfection, quarantine of new stocks before stocking and broader usage of specific pathogen‐free shrimp. The sequencing and characterisation of various WSSV strains have provided details about pathogen biology, pathogenicity and disease. To develop successful control methods, knowledge of these characteristics is essential. In several shrimp‐producing countries in Asia and the Americas, the infections produced by the WSSV have had disastrous socio‐economic consequences. As a result of international trade or migration of diseased species, the World Animal Health Organization recognised several illnesses as posing a substantial hazard to farmed shrimp. WSD is receiving much scientific research due to the potential economic effects of the virus. Research is now being done to understand better the molecular biology and pathophysiology of WSSV, as well as how to treat and prevent the virus. However, further study should be conducted in countries with more resilient host species to understand their role in mitigating disease impacts since these revelations may aid in developing a WSD treatment.

Vibrio harveyi belongs to the Vibrio genus that causes vibriosis in marine and aquatic fish species through double-stranded DNA virus replication. In humans, around 12 Vibrio species can cause gastroenteritis (gastrointestinal illness). A large amount of virus particles can be found in the cytoplasm of infected cells, which may cause death. Despite these devastating complications, there is still no cure or vaccine for the virus. As a result, we used an immunoinformatics approach to develop a multi-epitope vaccine against most pathogenic hemolysin gene of V. harveyi. The immunodominant T- and B-cell epitopes were identified using the hemolysin protein. We developed a vaccine employing three possible epitopes: cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, helper T-lymphocytes, and linear B-lymphocyte epitopes, after thorough testing. The vaccine was developed to be antigenic, immunogenic, and non-allergenic, as well as having a better solubility. Molecular dynamics simulation revealed significant structural stiffness and binding stability. In addition, the immunological simulation generated by computer revealed that the vaccination might elicit immune reactions in the actual life after injection. Finally, using Escherichia coli K12 as a model, codon optimization yielded ideal GC content and a higher codon adaptation index value, which was then included in the cloning vector pET2+ (a). Altogether, our experiment implies that the proposed peptide vaccine might be a good option for vibriosis prophylaxis.

Tilapia tilapinevirus, known worldwide as tilapia lake virus (TiLV), is a single-stranded RNA virus that belongs to the Amnoonviridae family. The virus attacks the fish species’ external and internal organs, such as the eyes, brain, and liver. Syncytial cells develop in the liver cells of infected fish, which are characterized by widespread hepatocellular necrosis and karyolytic nuclei. It is a highly infectious virus that spreads both horizontally and vertically. Despite these devastating complications, there is still no cure or vaccine for the virus. Therefore, a vaccine based on epitopes developed using immunoinformatics methods was developed against TiLV in fish. The putative polymerase basic 1 (PB1) gene was used to identify immunodominant T- and B-cell epitopes. Three probable epitopes were used to design the vaccine: CTL, HTL, and LBL. Testing of the final vaccine revealed that it was antigenic, non-allergenic, and has improved solubility. Molecular dynamics simulation revealed significant structural compactness and binding stability. Furthermore, the computer-generated immunological simulation indicated that immunization might stimulate real-life immune responses following injection. Overall, the findings of the study imply that the designed epitope vaccine might be a good option for prophylaxis for TiLV.

Infectious Spleen and Kidney Necrosis Virus (ISKNV) is linked to severe infections that cause significant financial losses in global aquaculture. ISKNV enters the host cell through its major capsid protein (MCP), and the resulting infection can lead to mass mortality of fish. Even though several drugs and vaccines are at various stages of clinical testing, none are currently available. Thus, we sought to assess the potential of seaweed compounds to block viral entrance by inhibiting the MCP. The Seaweed Metabolite Database (1110 compounds) was assessed for potential antiviral activity against ISKNV using high throughput virtual screening. Forty compounds with docking scores of ≥8.0 kcal/mol were screened further. The inhibitory molecules BC012, BC014, BS032, and RC009 were predicted by the docking and MD techniques to bind the MCP protein significantly with binding affinities of −9.2, −9.2, −9.9, and −9.4 kcal/mol, respectively. Also, ADMET characteristics of the compounds indicated drug-likeness. According to this study, marine seaweed compounds may operate as viral entrance inhibitors. For their efficacy to be established, in-vitro and in-vivo testing is required.