Histolopathological Alterations in the Intestines of Labeo rohita Infected with Acanthocephalan Parasite Neoechinorhynchus sp.

Abstract

The study describes the effect of pathological manifestation of an acanthocephalan parasite Neoechinorhynchus sp. in the intestines of fish Labeo rohita of river Tawi (Chenab) of Jammu. For the histopathological investigations, tissue samples from the infected fish were fixed in Bouin’s fixative for 24 hours, processed and 6-8 micron thick sections were prepared using standard microtomy techniques. This parasite caused severe histological changes in the fish intestine like damaged villi, shortening of villi, inflammation, hyperplasia, erosion of the normal structure, widening of the intestinal lumen and increase in the number of mucus cells. In case of serious infection, damage occurs to both mucosal and submucosal layers. Compression and absence of intestinal villi was also evident.