Antibiotic Stewardship in Silkworms: Navigating the Pros and Cons

To safeguard against microbial diseases and maintain optimal silk yields, the sericulture industry relies on antibiotics to promote the health, well-being, and vitality of silkworms (<i>Bombyx mori</i>). Antibiotics are commonly incorporated into synthetic diets for rearing silkworms or...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Rittick Mondal, Dipanjan Das, Amit Kumar Mandal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Bacteria
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2674-1334/4/1/2
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Summary:To safeguard against microbial diseases and maintain optimal silk yields, the sericulture industry relies on antibiotics to promote the health, well-being, and vitality of silkworms (<i>Bombyx mori</i>). Antibiotics are commonly incorporated into synthetic diets for rearing silkworms or included as key components in bed disinfectant formulations. The silkworm-rearing industry’s reliance on antibiotics has led to concerns about the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Previous research has uncovered a dual role for antibiotics: not only do they prevent disease, but they also promote silkworm growth by reshaping the gut microbiome and enhancing nutrient absorption, highlighting the need for judicious use. Therefore, there is a critical need for prudent management and further exploration of alternative growth-promoting strategies to minimize resistance risks. This study investigates the relationship between antibiotic administration and silkworm growth, shedding light on the mechanisms underlying antibiotic-induced effects and assessing the risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) emergence and dissemination.
ISSN:2674-1334