Cross infection and treatment trials of trypanosomiasis in some freshwater fishes

Abstract EN

A total number of 170 fishes were collected and represented as 30 Trypanosoma mukasai free fishes (10 Clarias gariepinus, 10 Oreochromis niloticus and 10 Cyprinus carpio) used in the cross experimental infection.

In addition to 140 naturally infected C.

gariepinus which used in the treatment trials.

The main clinical picture of the naturally infected C.

gariepinus were skin abrasions, off food, emaciation, dullness and respiratory manifestations.

Blood was withdrawn from the caudal blood vessels of the naturally infected C.

gariepinus using a heparinized syringe and injected I/P and I/M into C.

gariepinus, O.

niloticus and C.

carpio.

All injected fishes were examined for Trypanosoma mukasai infection for 2 weeks.

Experimentally infected C.

gariepinus and O.

niloticus showed positive infection through both routes while, C.

carpio showed positive infection through I/P route only.

The treatment trials revealed that the most effective treatment was Artemisia annua bath with a dose of 150 mg/l for 120 minutes followed by Trypano-Ject as I/M injection then Praziquental as a bath treatment.