Polymers and immersion time shape bacterial pathogen and antibiotic resistance profiles in aquaculture facilities

Abstract Most equipment used in aquaculture farms is made of plastic. Plastics-associated biofilms may contain potential human pathogenic bacteria (PHPB) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB). Understanding the influence of farming practices on the biofouling development and composition is thus essential to control associated microbiological risks. We combined results from metabarcoding analyses, bacterial cultures, and antibiotic susceptibility testing to compare the bacterial pathobiome and resistome associated with plastic aquaculture equipment, including two polyamide nets and a polyester liner, with those associated to