Infestation and pathological alterations by Ergasilus sarsi (Copepoda) on the Tanganyika Killifish from Africa

Pathology caused by introduced Neoergasilus japonicus (Copepoda: Ergasilidae) to the skin of indigenous Tilapia sparrmanii in South Africa and scanning electron microscopy study of wound-inflicting structures

Neoergasilus japonicus, a fish ectoparasite indigenous to eastern and southern Asia, has been introduced to various regions, including Europe and North and South America, where it spreads at an alarming rate. The parasite is not host-specific. It was also collected from the Vaal-Orange and Limpopo river systems in South Africa. This report describes the morphology of the wound-inflecting structures in N. japonicus and relates their morphology to the pathological effect on Tilapia sparrmanii. Host tissue with parasites attached was imbedded in resin for histological sectioning and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Additional specimens were prepared for scanning electron microscopy. Adult female parasites attach by inserting the hooked tips of the antennae into the epidermis. The maxillulae are minute but have sharp tips. The maxillae have sharp tips on the endopod and brush-like setae on the exopod. The mandibles are armed with sharp tips. These structures are used to remove the epidermis of the host and brush it into the buccal cavity. Host tissue in the intestine confirms that adult females consume host tissue leaving the dermis exposed to opportunistic diseases. The microscopic size of the parasite prevents casual observation, and its occurrence in Africa is, therefore, probably underreported.

Review of the metazoan parasites of the economically and ecologically important African sharptooth catfish Clarias gariepinus in Africa: Current status and novel records

One of the most widely distributed African freshwater fish is the African sharptooth catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) that is naturally distributed in 8 of the 10 ichthyofaunal regions of this continent. Clarias gariepinus is a highly valued and cheap staple to local communities and an ideal aquaculture species. Consequently, interest in the parasitic communities of C. gariepinus has increased as parasites may accidentally be ingested by humans when eating uncooked fish or can be introduced into culture systems through fish stocks supplied from local rivers which affect yield, growth, and marketability. This review provides an overview of the ∼107 metazoan parasite species known to parasitise C. gariepinus in Africa and their general life cycles, morphology, paratenic and post-cyclic infections, and the biogeography and validity of records are discussed. A brief overview is included on the application of some of these parasites in environmental studies and their link to human health.

A comparison of the use of different swab materials for optimal diagnosis of amoebic gill disease (AGD) in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

Routine gill swabbing is a non-destructive sampling method used for the downstream qPCR detection and quantitation of the pathogen Neoparamoeba perurans, a causative agent of amoebic gill disease (AGD). Three commercially available swabs were compared aiming their application for timelier AGD diagnosis (Calgiswab^® (calcium alginate fibre-tipped), Isohelix^® DNA buccal and cotton wool-tipped). Calcium alginate is soluble in most sodium salts, which potentially allows the total recovery of biological material, hence a better extraction of target organisms' DNA. Thus, this study consisted of (a) an in vitro assessment involving spiking of the swabs with known amounts of amoebae and additional assessment of retrieval efficiency of amoebae from agar plates; (b) in vivo testing by swabbing of gill arches (second, third and fourth) of AGD-infected fish. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments identified an enhanced amoeba retrieval with Calgiswab® and Isohelix® swabs in comparison with cotton swabs. Additionally, the third and fourth gill arches presented significantly higher amoebic loads compared to the second gill arch. Results suggest that limiting routine gill swabbing to one or two arches, instead of all, could likely lead to reduced stress-related effects incurred by handling and sampling and a timelier diagnosis of AGD.

Histopathological changes on the gills of asp (Aspius aspius) and European catfish (Silurus glanis) caused by Lamproglena pulchella and a Lamproglena sp. (Copepoda: Lernaeidae), respectively

In a parasitology survey of Hungarian fishes, heavy infections of parasitic copepods Lamproglena pulchella and a Lamproglena sp. were found in the gills of the asp and the European catfish, respectively. Individuals of both fish species were emaciated and infected with hundreds of Lamproglena. Copepods located close to the tip of gill filaments and formed a depression at the attachment sites. In histological sections, cell degenerations and local haemorrhages were present adjacent to the maxillipeds and where the maxillary claws pierced the gill tissue. Around maxillae and in the midgut of the Lamproglena, damaged piscine blood cells and remains of the gill tissue were observed. Host reaction was expressed by proliferation of epithelioid cells, increase in both number and size of goblet and mast cells and formation of giant cells.

Occurrence of the parasitic copepod Ergasilus labracis on Threespine Sticklebacks from the south coast of Newfoundland

A study conducted from August to October 2013 surveyed Threespine Sticklebacks Gasterosteus aculeatus (n = 822) for the presence of parasitic copepods in the vicinity of large sea-cage salmonid farms in Bay d'Espoir, Newfoundland. The majority of parasitic copepods surveyed were Ergasilus labracis (n = 4,684). Other parasitic copepods observed on Threespine Sticklebacks during the survey included chalimus-stage Lepeophtheirus spp. (n = 3), adult Argulus alosae (n = 2), and a single Thersitina gasterostei. This represents a new host record for E. labracis. The copepods were present on fish collected in a broad range of temperatures (6.9-17.7°C) and salinities (10.2-30.2 [Practical Salinity Scale]). The parasitic copepods were most commonly found on larger hosts estimated to be age 1 or older. Surprisingly, the highest infestations (approximately 65%) were found on regions of the hosts outside of the gills (behind the pectoral fins and pelvic spines); in some cases, the copepods had inflicted significant damage to the skin of their hosts. Among host fish with evidence of an additional infection, such as microsporidian tumors (xenomas) or hemorrhagic-like symptoms (dark red abdomens and bloody mucus), the prevalence of E. labracis was significantly higher (43.4%) than among healthy fish (28.9%) despite there being no significant difference in size between the two fish health groups. In contrast, intensity (mean number of individual parasites per host) was significantly higher among healthy hosts (23.6) than among unhealthy ones (7.63). Although this parasite has been listed as present in Newfoundland previously, it has a broad host range and has been reported to be pathogenic to farmed salmonids. Therefore, its potential impact on wild and farmed fish populations around Newfoundland should not be underestimated.