Some Haemo-biochemical Changes Induced by Gastrointestinal Parasites of Cultured and Wild African Catfish in Zaria, Kaduna, Nigeria

Abstract

The present study investigated the occurrence of gastrointestinal (GIT) parasites and their relationship with some haemato-biochemical parameters in wild and cultured catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in Zaria and its Environs, Nigeria. A total of two hundred and forty (240) African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) were sampled from cultured ponds and some water bodies around Zaria. About 2 ml of blood was collected from the caudal vein of each catfish and dispensed into EDTA and plain sample bottles for haematological and serum biochemical analysis, respectively. After blood sample collection, the catfish were dissected longitudinally to examine for parasites (GIT) grossly and using Simple flotation technique for parasite eggs and oocysts of Helminthes and protozoans. Modified Ziehl Neelson staining technique was further performed on oocysts suspected to be Cryptosporidium. Percentage distributions of the various parasites include: Crytosporidium oocysts, Eimeria oocysts and nematodes were 86.2%, 48.4% and 40% in the wild; as against 13.8%, 51.6% and 60% in cultured Clarias gariepinus, respectively. The PCV, RBC, and Hb were significantly lower (p <0.05) in the infected (28.0 ± 0.331%, 3.4 ± 0.592 x 1012/L, 8.3 ± 0.174 g/dl) compare with the uninfected Clarias gariepinus (33.3 ± 0.229%, 3.9 ± 0.050 x 1012/L, 10.5 ± 0.110 g/dl), respectively. However, the WBC was significantly higher (p = 0.041) in the infected (4.5 ± 0.047 x 109 /L) when compared to the uninfected (3.9 ± 0.017 x 109 /L) Clarias gariepinus species. Also, there were statistically significant increases (p><0.05) in the mean values of AST, ALT, and ALP in the infected (82.2 ± 1.037 U/L, 95.8 ± 1.209 U/L, 68.8 ± 1.180 U/L) when compared with the uninfected (60.7 ± 0.741 U/L, 68.9 ± 0.844 U/L, 47.1 ± 0.759 U/L) Clarias gariepinus, respectively. The results of present study overserved that helminth parasites induce haematobiochemical changes.