The study of histopathological effects of metacercaria infection on gill of Aplocheilus panchax

Abstract

This study was carried out to study the occurrence of metacercaria on gill of 53 blue panchax (Aplocheilus panchax) from estuarine area located around University Terengganu Malaysia (UMT). A total of 23 fishes were fixed for histopathological effect on gill while 30 fishes were conducted for identification of species and to determine prevalence and intensity of infection. The result showed Aplocheilus panchax in this estuarine area were infected with metacercaria from the genus Echinochasmus. Histopathological result revealed the most consistent sign of infection on gill of blue panchax was hyperplasia and cartilage proliferation. The cysts showed a preference for primary lamellae and for the secondary lamellae of each gill. It can be concluded that Aplocheilus panchax from estuarine area around UMT were heavily infected with Echinochasmus sp. with prevalence of I 00% and mean intensities of infection is 167.5.