DYNAMICS OF PARASITE POPULATION, AND ITS HISTOPATHOLOGICAL AND HISTOPHYSIOLOGICAL EFECTS IN THE STOMACH OF A FRESHWATER FISH
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Authors
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G. Benarjee
Fisheries Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Kakatiya University,
Warangal- 506 009, India
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Laxma Reddy
Fisheries Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Kakatiya University,
Warangal- 506 009, India
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K. S. Krishna Prasad
Fisheries Polytechnic, Sri Venkateshwara Veterinary; University,
Avanigadda - 521 121, India
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K. Srikanth
Fisheries Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Kakatiya University,
Warangal- 506 009, India
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M. Swamy
Fisheries Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Kakatiya University,
Warangal- 506 009
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G. Ramu
Fisheries Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Kakatiya University,
Warangal- 506 009
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K. Narasimha Ramulu
Fisheries Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Kakatiya University,
Warangal- 506 009, India
Abstract
The caryophyllaeid cestode Lytocestoides fossilis infects the freshwater
catfish Heteropneustes fossilis. The study was conducted for two consecutive years (2004-06) to record the biostatistical data of the parasite. The incidence of infection, intensity of infection, density of infection and index of infection of the parasite has been recorded. The infection was more during June to September, moderate during February to May and low during October to January. The parasite brought about severe histopathological changes in the stomach of infected fish. The changes observed in the stomach of fish included structural damage of the villi, inflammation, and fibrosis associated with hyperplasia and
metaplasia. The hypertrophy of mucous layer led to vacuolation and necrosis. Histochemical changes were noticed with enhanced carbohydrate, protein and lipid contents. The enhanced substrate content in the infected organ might be due to the disfunctioning of the digestive tract, which results in the accumulation of various metabolites. Mucus secretion was triggered as a protective interaction against parasitic invasion. The parasitic infection affects the general metabolic state of the host and as the result, the fish becomes sluggish and moribund.
Keywords: Heteropneustes fossilis, Lytocestoides fossilis,
histopathology, histochemistry
