Molecular Identification of Enterogyrus sp. Parasite (Dactylogyridae: Ancyrocephalinae) and its Impact on the Health Status of the Red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) in Egypt

Maghawri, Asmaa; Nashaat, Mai

doi:10.21608/ejabf.2022.269384

Molecular Identification of Enterogyrus sp. Parasite (Dactylogyridae: Ancyrocephalinae) and its Impact on the Health Status of the Red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) in Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

10.21608/ejabf.2022.269384

Abstract

Monogenean parasites are flatworms commonly found in fish and lower aquatic invertebrates. The present study was performed to genetically analyze one parasitic species of genera monogeneans belonging to the family Dactylogyridae, based on its morphological structures isolated from the red tilapia fish (Oreochromis sp < em>.) in Egypt. Hematological and biochemical parameters were measured in the infested fish. Histopathological examinations of different organs of infested fish were also performed. A total of 126 freshwater fish with average weights and lengths of 2.57±0.25 g. and 5.26±0.2 cm, respectively were examined. Fish were randomly collected alive or freshly dead from March to December 2020 from a fish farm in Suez Governorate, Egypt. Naturally, infested fish revealed pathognomonic clinical signs such as excess mucus secretions, the opening of the mouth, and in some cases, exophthalmia. An empty, shrinking stomach with pale colorations of the internal organs was depicted during a postmortem examination. The total infestation recorded was 41.27%. The isolated intestinal monogeneans from the red tilapia were Enterogyrus sp. according to primary morphological characterizations. Molecular diagnosis (PCR), phylogenetics, and sequencing were used to confirm infestation with parasites. Highly significant differences were detected between infested and non-infested samples (P≤ 0.05). In addition, histopathological sections of the liver, spleen, and intestine recorded abnormalities occurring due to infestations.

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