An Aeromonad selectively removes a class of pathogens from shrimp, prevents disease and preserves a healthy commensal microbiome

Abstract

On their own, probiotics do not entirely eliminate pathogens during infection and disease. Instead, they often serve as adjuncts that rely on distinct mechanisms to reduce the presence of harmful bacteria. Our prior research indicates that an isolated Aeromonas dhakensis strain A603 kills pathogenic Vibrio strains through two antibacterial mechanisms: the type VI secretion system (T6SS) and phenazine (AdPhen). Here, we investigate A603 as a standalone probiotic for a shrimp disease model. This study shows that A603 prevents mortality from acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) in shrimp caused by pathogenic Vibrio spp. that produce the PirAB toxin. AHPND infection alters the shrimp microbiota by increasing pathogen abundance and decreasing beneficial bacterial abundance prior to death. As both a prophylactic and treatment, A603 removes pathogenic Vibrio from shrimp and reverses such alterations in the microbiota using both T6SS and AdPhen. Collectively, our findings show that A603 antibacterial mechanisms prevent AHPND.