Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that enhance fish immunity by modulating gut microbiota, stimulating immune responses, and preventing infections. Various probiotic strains, including Lactobacillus, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Saccharomyces, exhibit distinct immunomodulatory effects in fish. Comparative analysis of these strains focuses on evaluating their influence on immune parameters such as cytokine production, lysozyme activity, cellular and humoral innate immunity and disease resistance. Studies have shown that lactic acid bacteria enhance mucosal immunity, while Bacillus spp. improve gut health and stress tolerance. Yeast-based probiotics act as immunostimulants by enhancing antioxidant activity. The efficacy of probiotics varies based on fish species, environmental conditions, and administration methods. Advanced molecular tools, such as metagenomics and transcriptomics, are being used to analyze probiotic-induced immune responses. Understanding the comparative benefits of different probiotic strains can aid in the development of effective probiotic formulations for sustainable aquaculture, reducing antibiotic dependency and improving fish health.

Aquaculture faces challenges due to disease outbreaks, which lead to decrease in production, economic losses and increased chemotherapeutics uses, contributing to antimicrobial resistance. Probiotics offer a sustainable alternative to antibiotics by enhancing fish immunity, but their effectiveness varies across strains and hosts. The key problem is the lack of comparative studies evaluating different probiotic strains and their specific immunomodulatory effects in fish.

This Research Topic aims to compare the immune-enhancing potential of various probiotic strains, including Lactobacillus, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Saccharomyces, by assessing immune markers, disease resistance, and gut microbiota composition. Recent advances in metagenomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics allow for deeper insights into host-microbiome interactions and immune responses. By identifying the most effective probiotic strains and optimal administration methods, this study will contribute to developing tailored probiotic formulations for disease prevention in aquaculture. Ultimately, this research will support sustainable fish farming practices, reduce antibiotic dependency, and improve overall fish health and productivity.

This Research Topic explores the impact of different probiotic strains on fish immunity, focusing on their mechanisms, effectiveness, and applications in aquaculture. This aims to optimize probiotic selection for improving disease management and sustainable aquaculture. We are interested in receiving submissions including but not limited to the following themes:
• The immunomodulatory effects of Lactobacillus, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Saccharomyces strains.
• Probiotic-induced changes in gut microbiota and immune gene expression.
• Comparative analysis of single-strain vs. Multi-strain probiotics in enhancing fish and shellfish immunity.
• Advanced technologies like metagenomics and proteomics in probiotic research.
• Interaction of probiotics with gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) and mucosal immunity.
• Practical applications for enhancing fish and shellfish health and reducing antibiotic use.

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Comparative Analysis of Different Probiotic Strains on Fish and Shellfish Immunity