Trichodina modesta: an exotic ciliate in the Neotropical region parasitizing an unusual host.

In this study, an important ornamental fish, Betta splendens (Osphronemidae), from three different Brazilian states was examined for parasitic infestations. Smears with parasites were impregnated with silver nitrate or stained using Giemsa for taxonomic evaluation. A disc-shaped trichodinid with a body diameter of 39.7 ± 3.3 µm, adhesive disc diameter of 32.9 ± 3.1 µm and denticulate ring diameter of 19.5 ± 2.0 µm was found. The morphological characteristics resembled those of Trichodina modesta Lom, 1970, a species that shows clear host specificity for Cypriniformes. Until now, its occurrence was restricted to the Eurasian region. In the present study, a new host for T. modesta is reported and therefore the first occurrence of this species in the Americas. The parasite was possibly introduced into the Neotropical region through the exotic fish trade, especially of Cypriniformes used by aquarists. The distribution of this ciliate is discussed and a checklist of localities and hosts for the species is provided.

Teflubenzuron as a tool for control of trichodinids in freshwater fish: Acute toxicity and in vivo efficacy.

In this study we describe the anti-Trichodina effects of teflubenzuron (TFB) for Oreochromis niloticus and for Piaractus mesopotamicus. We also evaluated the acute toxicity, for both species, by using TFB in the concentrations of 700.0, 800.0, 900.0 and 1000.0 mg L(-1) and a control, without the drug. To assess the efficacy of TFB against Trichodina spp., we used the concentrations of 30.0 or 50.0 mg L(-1) for one hour exposure in tilapia, and the concentration of 30.0, 50.0 and 80.0 mg L(-1) for one hour and 50 mg L(-1) for two hours exposures in pacu. Teflubenzuron did not present significant toxicity in either species, with LC50;48h > 1000.0 mg L(-1). The drug effectiveness was observed against four identified Trichodina species: T. magna, T. heterodentata, T. compacta and T. centrostrigeata, with 87.9% parasite reduction with one hour exposure to 50.0 mg L(-1) TFB on O. niloticus and 96.1% with two hours exposure to 50.0 mg L(-1) TFB on P. mesopotamicus. Teflubenzuron is a drug with potential to be used in Brazilian aquaculture; it attends to important requirements, such as low toxicity and high efficacy in controlling Trichodina spp. infection in O. niloticus and P. mesopotamicus.

Trichodina heterodentata (Ciliophora) infestation on Prochilodus lineatus larvae: a host-parasite relationship study.

Prochilodus lineatus is a freshwater fish species found in South America. It is common in aquaculture, but few studies regarding diseases of this fish have been performed. This study presents data of the occurrence of Trichodina heterodentata Duncan, 1977, as well as the pathological alterations detected by light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Twenty 20-day-old larvae were harvested from an earth pond and examined. Larvae showed erratic swimming on the pond edges and some had a whitish tegument. Larval smears were either impregnated with silver nitrate or stained with Giemsa stain to observe the taxonomic features of the ciliates. Five larvae were fixed in formalin solution for histopathological analysis, and another five specimens were fixed in glutaraldehyde for SEM. All larvae were diagnosed with a severe infestation by trichodinid T. heterodentata. Histological sections showed discrete hyperplasia of the gill filaments with subepithelial oedema of the secondary lamellae. In the SEM, suction areas were observed on the skin, gill and eye; corrosion and ulceration of the fins were associated with the bacterial presence of cocci on the lesions. This is the first report of T. heterodentata in P. lineatus that is responsible for an acute disease that culminates in larval mortality.

Brazilian catfish parasitized by Epistylis sp. (Ciliophora, Epistylididae), with description of parasite intensity score.

The determination of mean intensity of parasitism for colony-forming sessile protozoan such as Epistylis has been a great problem in parasitological studies. Some alternatives have been proposed by researchers for laboratory and field conditions. This study describes the criteria to establish the parasitic intensity score for epistylidid infestation in fish. Parasite distribution and the host-parasite relationship in four species of Brazilian cultured catfish and their hybrids are discussed. The highest prevalence rates were found in the hybrid jundiara, Leiarius marmoratus male × Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum female (96.4 %), followed by jurupoca, Hemisorubim platyrhynchos (60 %), and the hybrid surubim, Pseudoplatystoma corruscans male × P. reticulatum female (52.7 %). Positive correlation between parasitic intensity score and the fish size, weight, and relative condition factor were also observed. These findings indicate that Epistylis infestation in Brazilian catfish is an emerging disease in cultured fish.

First record of Trypanosoma sp. (Protozoa: Kinetoplastida) in tuvira (Gymnotus aff. inaequilabiatus) in the Pantanal wetland, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil.

The blood infection by Trypanosoma sp. in tuvira (Gymnotus aff. inaequilabiatus) from the Pantanal wetland was reported in this study. Ten fish from the Paraguay River in the Pantanal were evaluated for the presence of hemoflagellates. Trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma sp. were observed in blood smears from three fish (30% prevalence) and some forms were seen to be undergoing division. Using the diagnostic methods of fresh examination and blood centrifugation in hematocrit capillary tubes, the prevalence rate was 80%. This is the first report of Trypanosoma sp. in tuvira in Brazil.

Distúrbios morfológicos em leucócitos de exemplar de kinguio (Carassius auratus auratus Linnaeus, 1758) com septicemia hemorrágica bacteriana: relato de caso / Morphologic disorders in leukocytes of goldfish sample (Carassius auratus auratus Linnaeus, 1758) with bacterial hemorrhagic septicemia: case report

O presente estudo teve por objetivo relatar um caso sobre as alterações morfológicas em leucócitos de kinguio comsepticemia hemorrágica bacteriana. Um exemplar foi atendido no Laboratório de Patologia de Organismos Aquáticos doCAUNESP, Unesp de Jaboticabal, apresentando apatia, natação errática, anorexia e discreta perda de equilíbrio, buscandoconstantemente a superfície da água. Através de análise visual da superfície corpórea, foram observadas áreas de hemorragiapetequial na base das nadadeiras peitoral, pélvica e caudal, além da órbita bucal, periocular e anal e efusão celomática. Naextensão sanguínea foram observadas a presença de monócitos ativados, hiperativados, e fagócitos mononuclearesrealizando eritrofagocitose e leucofagocitose, neutrófilos com basofilia citoplasmática e com vacuolização citoplasmática,além de imunócitos e leucócitos imaturos com anisocitose e anisocariose. As alterações morfológicas descritas no presenteestudo revelaram parte da patogenia e resposta orgânica de kinguio com septicemia hemorrágica bacteriana. Dessa forma,as análises qualitativas das células sanguíneas devem ser também utilizadas como ferramenta complementar aos estudosdo estado geral da saúde de peixes em cultivo.

The morphological changes in leukocytes of goldfish with bacterial hemorrhagic septicemia were reported. One sample was served at the Laboratory of Pathology of Aquatic Organisms of CAUNESP, Unesp in Jaboticabal. The fish showed lethargy, erratic swimming and without force, slight loss of balance, trying constantly to the water surface. In the body inspection, areas of petechial hemorrhage at the base of the pectoral fins, pelvic fins and caudal fin were observed, beyond the periocular and oral orbitand anal. Blood smears presented hiperactivated monocytes, performing erythrophagocytosis and leukophagocytosis, the cytoplasm of neutrophils presented basophilia and vacuolization, beyond immunocytes, immature leukocytes with anisocytosis and anisokaryosis. The morphological changes described in this study revealed part of the pathogenesis and organic response of Kinguio with bacterial hemorrhagic septicemia. Then, the qualitative analysis of blood cells should also be used as a complementary tool to study the general health status of fish farmed