Abstract
The use of haematological techniques to assess fish health is generally accepted. The aim of the current study was to determine selected haematological changes that occur in Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822). infected with trypanosomes. Blood films were prepared according to standard techniques to confirm trypanosome infections and whole blood was collected, the serum and plasma separated, and prepared for albumin and total protein concentration analysis. Plasma albumin levels were significantly higher in infected wild caught fish than in uninfected wild caught fish and uninfected breeding stock. Serum albumin levels were significantly lower in infected wild caught fish when compared to uninfected breeding stock. The total plasma and serum protein levels were within the normal range for C. gariepinus, that is, 3 g-6 g/100 mL. The total plasma protein levels varied significantly between the three groups. However, the total serum protein levels were only significantly different between uninfected breeding stock and uninfected wild caught fish, as well as uninfected breeding stock and infected wild caught fish. The total protein levels were significantly higher in infected wild caught fish than in the other groups, a possible indication of an infection or inflammatory host response.
Highlights
To date, approximately 200 species of piscine trypanosomes are known (Gupta & Gupta 2012)
Haematological techniques are important for the assessment of the impact of trypanosome infections on fish health (Shah & Altindağ 2004)
The aim of the current study is to determine whether any haematological changes occur in the African sharptooth catfish, C. gariepinus infected with trypanosomes
Summary
Approximately 200 species of piscine trypanosomes are known (Gupta & Gupta 2012). The effect of a trypanosome infection depends solely upon the host’s energy resources, and the impact ranges from physiological (Tandon & Chandra 1977), metabolic, pathological (Lom & Dykova 1984), biochemical (Gupta & Gupta 1986) and asymptomatic, to behavioural anomalies and syndromes (Barber, Hoare & Krause 2000). Osman, Fadel and Ali (2009) reported that Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) infected with Trypanosoma mukasai Hoare, 1932 showed significant decreases in total serum protein, albumin, globulin levels, albumin/globulin ratios and cholesterol concentrations. These authors noted an increase in serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase enzyme activities. The aim of the current study is to determine whether any haematological changes occur in the African sharptooth catfish, C. gariepinus infected with trypanosomes
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