Topically Acquired Bacterial Infections from Aquaculture: A Synopsis with Relevance to the Arabian Peninsula

Aquaculture is a fledgling industry for most countries of the Arabian Peninsula (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sultanate of Oman, United Arab Emirates, Yemen). It is practiced by all nations of the region and, as a sector, has experienced significant growth over the last decade. This expansion will inevitably continue as a component of regional business diversification and as the need for high-quality food protein rises. Already the Peninsula’s aquaculture workforce is exposed to several latent zoonotic bacterial and other diseases carried by seafood. Some of these infections have the potential to be lethal if misdiagnosed or left untreated. The region’s industry currently engages over 4000 people in the farming of over 25,000 tons of seafood, with another 2000 or so employees in support services such as handling, transport, and processing. Industry progression will convey increased employment opportunities with the potential for aquaculture-related zoonoses likewise growing dramatically. Many practitioners are unfamiliar with aquatic zoonoses, their clinical presentations, and treatments. This synopsis introduces important, topically acquired bacterial infections, derived from fish, that are likely to occur more frequently in the region.