Isopod Parasite Induced Secondary Microbial Infection in Marine Food Fishes

Abstract

Isopods are parasitic crustaceans that pose serious threat to fisheries. Several studies have tried to explore the host-pathogen relationship between marine fishes and isopods. The present study aims to understanding the secondary infections in marine fishes pertaining to isopods. To assess the secondary infection in infected fishes, parasite infested and healthy tissues of fishes were collected. The samples were subjected to standard microbiological procedure to identify the presence of pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Our results showed the branchial region had the higher microbial load of non-sporulating cenocytic fungi in infected fishes. Moreover, fungal strains isolated from the parasitic lesion confirmed that the parasitation and body lesion facilitates the entry of several pathogenic microbes at the damaged host tissue. More over the immune regulation of fish fights back by producing minute cysts, trying to encapsulate the growing fungus. But this may eventually lead to systemic infestation and death of the fish.

Natural Parasitic and Bacterial Coinfection in Some Fish Species in Egypt

“…The presence of numerous pathogens in fish can pose a significant problem for both cultured and wild fish, particularly in subtropical countries such as Egypt (Elamie, 2001). Pathogenic microorganisms in aquatic habitats can cause problems to economically important fishes as a consequence of their secondary invasion on the fish's body, which have been primarily infested with parasites (Ravichandran et al, 2016). A number of pathogenic bacteria can cause infection in fish, including Pseudomonas spp., Aeromonas spp.…”