Biochemical and pathological studies on trypanosomiasis among catfish “clarias gariepenus”

Abstract EN

The present study was designed to investigate trypanosomiasis among one of native freshwater fish breed in Egypt namely catfish (Claris gariepenus).

Fifty fish were collected during summer season from the river Nile at Giza markets.

The fish were examined for the presence of trypanosome in the blood.

Trypanosome were detected in 10 (20 %) of the collected fish.

The main clinical signs of infected fish with trypanosome were emaciation, dullness, and respiratory distress, loss of escape reflex, mild ascites and paleness of the gills.

Post-mortem examination of infected fish revealed paleness of the internal organs (liver and kidneys) and slight congestion of spleen.

Hematological examination of infected fish revealed significant decrease in erythrocyte count, hemoglobin and packed cell volume but significant increase in total leucocyte count accompanied with neutrophil and eosinophilia.

Serum biochemical analysis demonstrated a significant decrease in urea, total protein and albumin while a significant increase in AST, ALT, ALP, cretonne, glucose and 1- globulin were recorded.

Microscopic examination of organ histopathologically sections revealed cloudy swelling of hepatocytes with activation of kupffer cells, depletion of lymphocytes with thickening of tile trabecular in spleen.

While in kidney, macrobiotic changes of epithelial lining of renal tubules with vacillation of glomeruli as well as hemorrhages were recorded.