Histopathology of a acanthocephalan infection in swamp eel, Monopterus albus

Abstract

Since March in 2013, Inland Aquaculture Research Center, NFRDI has cultivated 1,000 wild swamp eel(Monopterus albus) for species conservation research. While cultivating, 100 fishes showed clinical sign that darkness color, mucus hypersecretion and anus rubor. Even some of them were died. Result of anatomical test, all 100 fishes were infected with intestinal parasite, acanthocephalan. So we were going to determine the case of acanthocephalans infection in swamp eel(Monopterus albus) as histopathologically. Acanthocephalan was founded in alimentary canal only. Parasite were confirmed 19 unit in individual fish, averagely. Heavy infected fishes were confirmed enterocleisis by acanthocephalans. Worms were attachment in submucosa layer of alimentary canal by invading proboscis. Characteristic symptoms were observed in stomach and intestine, including hyperemia in mucous epithelium, infiltration of eosinophills in submucosa layer, inflammation, parasitic granuloma. Some fishes showed vacuolization of gastricgland epithelium, necrosis of intestinal mucosa. Other organs, excluding alimentary canal, were not found lesion. The results of this study, the effect of the acanthocephalan infection on swamp eel(Monopterus albus) could find and it seems to be a big help in the future swamp eel(Monopterus albus) cultivation.