Aquaculture pharmaceuticals and biologicals: current perspectives and future possibilities.

With the continued expansion of cultured fin and shellfish species, aquaculture has become a key component of the animal health industry. The ever-increasing demand for quality pharmaceutical and biological products, to combat bacterial and viral infections, calls for the development of modern formulations and novel drug delivery systems. The purpose of this paper is to provide a general overview of important fish pathogens, manifested fish diseases, and control methods. Currently available pharmaceutical and biological products are tabulated. Emphasis is placed on the extension of formulation and process technologies, commonly encountered in human pharmaceuticals, to the aquaculture arena. New research efforts in the area of novel vaccine delivery systems, i.e. enteric-coated beads and biodegradable microspheres, are also summarized.