Ligula intestinalis (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea) plerocercoids in Alburnoides eichwaldi from Alborz Dam reservoir: population dynamics and histopathological study

Subject Areas : New Technologies in Aquaculture Development

Abbas  Bozorgnia ¹ (Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Qaemshahr Branch, Qaemshahr, Iran)

Received: 2022-10-09 Accepted : 2022-10-09 Published : 2022-05-22

Keywords: Prevalence, Intensity, Histopathology, Ligula intestinalis, Keywords: Alburnoides eichwaldi,

Abstract :

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and intensity of Ligula intestinalis infection in Alburnoides eichwaldi from the Alborz dam reservoir, and investigation the histopathology of infected organs. Accordingly, 36 fish samples were caught. After being anesthetized, the biometric indices of fish samples were measured and examined for parasites. The tissue samples of gonads, kidney, liver and intestine were taken from parasite-infected fish to examine pathologically. Excel software was used to draw graphs and basic statistical calculations, and SPSS software version 26 was used to perform analyzes and compare means. The findings of statistical analysis indicated that the mean prevalence of Ligula intestinalis infection was 75% and the mean intensity was 0.95±0.7. Also, a significant difference (p<0.05) was observed between the total length of the fish and the total number of plerocercoid larvae found in each fish. Also, the linear regression analysis between the net weight of fish and the mean intensity of infection demonstrated a significant relationship (p<0.05) between the variables. The histopathological survey revealed that the physical pressures caused by plerocercoid larvae induced the oocyte envelope to rupture and degenerate the component of oocytes, while in the testis led to the loss of structural organization and the reduction of spermatids and spermatozoa inside the seminiferous tubes. Also, plerocercoid larvae cause vacuolar degeneration, edema, and cell infiltration in the liver along with hyperplasia of the bile ducts. Whereas, hyperplasia and destruction of the epithelial layer were seen in the intestine.