In a remarkable achievement, the ICAR-Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research (ICAR-DCFR) in Bhimtal has secured a patent for a groundbreaking diagnostic tool aimed at combating the deadly fish pathogen Lactococcus garvieae. Spearheaded by Dr. Neetu Shahi, Senior Scientist at ICAR-DCFR, Bhimtal, this innovation addresses the pressing need for swift and accurate detection methods to protect fish populations and ensure the economic stability of aquaculture.
The patented technology, titled ‘Composition, Protocol, and Diagnostic Kit for Identification of Bacterial Pathogen Lactococcus garvieae,’ signifies a significant breakthrough in aquaculture health. L. garvieae, initially discovered in the 1980s from bovine mastitis samples in the United Kingdom, poses a severe threat by causing hemorrhagic septicemia and meningoencephalitis in over 60 fish species. This infection leads to substantial crop losses, ranging from 20 to 60%, thereby impacting fish production significantly. Additionally, surviving fish become asymptomatic carriers, further spreading the disease.
Conventional identification methods for L. garvieae are time-consuming and prone to misidentification, exacerbating the spread of the pathogen. Factors like climate change, antibiotic resistance, and the absence of rapid diagnostic tools worsen the challenge, particularly during warmer months when the outbreak of “Warm Water Lactococcosis” intensifies, posing a dire threat to rainbow trout farming.
The newly patented technology offers a transformative solution by enabling the rapid visual detection of L. garvieae within just 40 minutes. Utilising specific concentrations and compositions of oligonucleotides, the diagnostic kit facilitates swift, accurate, and cost-effective detection by discerning colour changes in the reactants.
This patent secured by ICAR-DCFR, Bhimtal, marks a significant stride forward in safeguarding global aquatic ecosystems and ensuring the sustainability of the aquaculture industry. It underscores India’s commitment to innovation and excellence in addressing critical challenges facing the fisheries sector.
