Parasitic lesions in fish in the Federal District, Brazil

Brazil has a vast territory and favorable climatic conditions that allow the cultivation of freshwater fish. The intensification of the productive system can cause an imbalance in the aquatic environment as a result of poor water quality, nutritional deficiencies and infectious or parasitic diseases. The laboratory diagnosis and the determination of the prevalence of the main lesions, which occur in a certain region, help to guide towards the etiological diagnosis. This study aimed to describe the main parasitic lesions in fish in the routine at the Veterinary Pathology Laboratory of the Universidade de Brasília (UnB). All records of fish with parasitic lesions were recovered. Those cases in which there was an intralesional parasite and which presented lesions compatible with the parasite were included. The screening of ectoparasites was done by scraping the superficial mucus from the gills and skin. Organ sections were routinely processed for histopathologyand stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE). In some records, parasitological identification was carried. The information was divided into the species of the affected fish, epidemiology of the outbreak (water quality, temperature, type of breeding), lesion distribution, etiology and macroscopic and microscopic changes. The resulting data was organized in absolute frequency and percentage. In this study, 22 cases were counted, between individual deaths and outbreaks, totaling 83 necropsied teleost fish. Inflammatory changes of parasitic origin were seen in 13/22 (59%) of the cases had lesions of parasitic origin. Skin lesions and gills were the most relevant. Macroscopically, red areas or spots of hyperemia or hemorrhage on the body surface were the most prevalent findings. Under microscopy, proliferative gill inflammation was the most relevant diagnosis. Pscinoodinium pilullare (Dinoflagellida), Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ciliophora), and monogenetic worms (Monogenea) were the main parasites found. Trichodina sp. (Ciliophora), Ichtyobodo sp. (Kinetoplastida), Amoebas, and Chilodonella sp. (Ciliophora), were seen in fewer numbers. An unusual case suggestive of parasitism by Eustrongylides sp. (Nematoda), in a pirá-brasília (Simpsonichthys boitonei), specimen has been recorded. The diagnoses were based on epidemiology, anatomopathological and parasitological findings. The most frequent and significantly lethal lesion in the study was proliferative and / or hyperplastic branchitis. Proliferative branchitis with lamellar epithelial hyperplasia (LEH) is a response to some type of chemical or mechanical injury to the gill epithelium in order to protect the capillaries from further damage or microbial penetration. However, it also increases the diffusion distance between capillaries and the environment and, therefore, hinders breathing, excretory and osmoregulatory functions. Protozoan infections and monogenetic worms in general generated LEH and skin lesions of mechanical origin. Secondary bacterial infection, were observed in this parasitosis determining the cause of death of the fish. Its pathogenicity comes from the lesions caused by the colonization and histophagy of the epithelial surfaces, mainly gills and skin, causing epithelial proliferation, lamellar cell fusion, epithelial cell degeneration and necrosis forming several ulcers in the epithelium after the release of mature trophies. The pathogenesis of parasitism by Eustrongylides spp. is considerable when there is a large quantity of these larvae that can cause intestinal obstruction, rupture and compression of viscera, of greater importance in small fish. The main parasites of necropsied fish were protozoa and monogenetic worms, which mainly cause branquitis and dermatitis in varying grades.(AU)

Report of 15 injuries caused by lionfish (pterois volitans) in aquarists in Brazil: a critical assessment of the severity of envenomations

Lionfish are venomous fish that belong to the Scorpaenidae family. Individuals of this family and those of the Synanceiidae family comprise most of the existing venomous fish in the world. Lionfish are originally found in the Indo-Pacific, but they have received special attention in the last years for their dissemination in the Atlantic Ocean, with the emergence of large populations in the USA, Caribbean and South America. Because of its beauty, this fish has always been present in private and commercial aquariums around the world. Herein, we describe 15 envenomations in aquarists registered in a period of eighteen years (1997-2014). The stings caused excruciating pain and marked inflammation, with local erythema, edema, heat, paleness and cyanosis. In one case, it was possible to observe vesicles and blisters. There were no skin necroses or marked systemic manifestations. We discuss the possible coming of the fish to South America and the circumstances and clinical impact of the envenomations.(AU)

Tempo de indução e recuperação à anestesia do eugenol para patinga (Piaractus brachypomus) / Eugenol anesthesia induction and recovery time for (Piaractus brachypomus) / Tiempo de inducción y recuperación a la anestesia de eugenol en morocoto (Piaractus brachypomus)

Este trabalho tem como finalidade avaliar o uso do eugenol como anestésico para a patinga (Piaractus brachypomus), mensurando o tempo de indução à anestesia e recuperação. Foram mensurados o tempo de indução e recuperação à anestesia em diferentes concentrações de eugenol e glicose plasmática. Os resultados foram analisados segundo um delineamento inteiramente casualisado (DIC) com seis tratamentos (controle, 25, 35, 50, 75 e 150 L-1 de eugenol) e dez repeti- ções cada. As análises de variância (ANOVA) e as médias foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey. Concentrações acima de 150mg.L-¹ apresentaram mortalidade de 100% da população. Os tempos de indução à anestesia profunda registrada para as concentrações de 50 e 75mg L-1 foram que apresentaram menores tempos de sedação. Observa-se que o tempo de recuperação patinganas doses de 50mg.L-¹ foi de 93 seg. a dose de 25mg.L-1 de eugenol foi a única que obteve diminuição nos níveis de glicose plasmática, o que pode ser um indício de utilização de pequenas doses deste no manejo da patinga. Conclui-se que o eugenol é um anestésico adequado para juvenis patinga com peso de 256,6±73,18g. Podendo utilizado em concentrações de 50mg. L-1 de eugenol...

This paper aims to standardize the use of eugenol as an anesthetic for the patinga (Piaractus brachypomus), measuring the time for anesthesia induction and recovery. Induction and recovery times to anesthesia were measured in different concentrations of eugenol and plasma glucose. The results were analyzed according to a completely randomized design (CRD) with six treatments (control, 25, 35, 50, 75 and 150 L-1 of eugenol) and ten repetitions each. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) and averages were compared by Tukey test. Concentrations above 150 mg.L-¹ presented 100% mortality of the population. The deep anesthesia induction times recorded for concentrations of 50 and 75 mg L-1 were the ones presenting the shortest sedation times. It can be observed that the patinga recovery time for 50mg.L-1 doses was 93 seconds. The 25mg.L-1 dose of eugenol was the only dose obtaining a decrease in plasma glucose levels which can be an indication to the use of small doses for the management of patinga. It can also be concluded that eugenol is a suitable anesthetic for patinga weighing 256.6 ± 73.18 g, and it can be used at concentrations of 50mg. L-1 eugenol...

Este estudio ha tenido como objetivo evaluar el uso de eugenol como anestésico para el morocoto Piaractus brachypomus, midiendo el tiempo de inducción a la anestesia y recuperación. Fueron medidos el tiempo de inducción y recuperación a la anestesia en diferentes concentraciones de eugenol y la glucosa plasmática. Los resultados fueron analizados según un delineamiento enteramente casualizado con seis tratamientos (control, 25, 35, 50, 75 y 150 L-1 de eugenol) y 10 (diez) repeticiones cada uno. El análisis de varianza (ANOVA) y los promedios se compararon por prueba Tukey. Concentraciones superiores a 150 mg.L-¹ presentaron mortalidad de 100% de la población. Los tiempos de inducción a la anestesia profunda registrada para las concentraciones de 50 y 75 mg L-1 fueron las que presentaron menores tiempos de sedación. Se observa que el tiempo de recuperación de morocotos con dosis de 50 mg.L-1 fue de 93 seg. La dosis de 25 mg.L-1 de eugenol fue la única que obtuvo disminución en los niveles de glucosa plasmática, lo que puede ser un indicio de utilización de dosis pequeñas de esto en manejos de morocotos. Se concluye que el eugenol es un anestésico adecuado para morocotos juveniles con peso de 256.6 ± 73, 18 g, pudiendo ser utilizado en concentraciones de 50 mg. L-1 de eugenol...

Parasitic castration, growth, and sex steroids in the freshwater bonefish Cyphocharax gilbert (Curimatidae) infested by Riggia paranensis (Cymothoidea)

Cyphocharax gilbert shows parasitic castration when infested by the crustacean Riggia paranensis, being unable to reproduce. Fish were sampled in the middle rio Itabapoana, Brazil, to study the prevalence of parasitism, growth, and sex steroid concentrations, considering the body size, sex, and reproductive condition of specimens. Most of the fish analyzed were infested (56.0 percent). The presence of two lines on the scales was more frequent among infested fish (22.0 percent) than among fish without parasites (12.0 percent for females and 10.0 percent for males). The occurrence of three lines on the scales was rare (3.5 percent among infested and 2.0 percent among females without parasites). These results suggest that growth of the host is faster than that of non infested fish. The serum concentrations of sex steroids from fish without parasites varied at different gonadal development stages (17 beta-estradiol: 60.0 to 976.7 pg/ml; total testosterone: 220.0 to 3,887.7 pg/ml). All infested fish had lower levels of the two sex steroids and undeveloped gonads. Sex steroids levels in infested females were close to those in females at post-spawning stages. Total testosterone concentrations of infested males were below those of males at early gonadal maturation stage. These results suggest that R. paranensis reduces the reproductive capacity of C. gilbert by affecting the host endocrine system

Cyphocharax gilbert exibe castração parasitária quando está infestado pelo crustáceo Riggia paranensis, estando impossibilitado de reproduzir. Os peixes foram coletados no trecho médio do rio Itabapoana, Brasil, para analisar a prevalência do parasitismo, quantificar crescimento e as concentrações de esteróides sexuais, considerando o tamanho do corpo, o sexo e a condição reprodutiva dos espécimes. A maioria dos peixes analisados estava infestada (56,0 por cento). A presença de duas linhas em escamas foi mais freqüente entre os peixes infestados (22,0 por cento) que entre os peixes não infestados (12,0 por cento para as fêmeas e 10,0 por cento para os machos). A presença de três linhas na escama foi rara (3,5 por cento entre os peixes infestados e 2,0 por cento entre as fêmeas não infestadas). Estes resultados sugerem que o crescimento no hospeideiro pode ser mais rapido que no peixes não parasitados. As concentrações de esteróides sexuais no soro dos peixes não infestados variaram entre os diferentes estágios reprodutivos (17 beta-estradiol: 60,0 a 976,7 pg/ml; total testosterona: 220,0 a 3.887,7 pg/ml). Todos os peixes infestados apresentaram baixos níveis dos dois hormônios esteroidais e ausência de desenvolvimento gonadal. Os níveis de esteróides sexuais nas fêmeas infestadas foram próximos aos níveis encontrados nas fêmeas pós-desovadas. A concentração de testosterona encontrada nos machos infestados foi inferior àquela obtida nos machos que estavam iniciando o desenvolvimento gonadal. Estes resultados sugerem que R. paranensis impede a reprodução de C. gilbert, afetando o sistema endócrino do hospedeiro

Migration of the curimbatá Prochilodus lineatus (Valenciennes, 1836) (Pisces, Prochilodontidae) at the waterfall "Cachoeira de Emas" of the Mogi-Guaçu river - São Paulo, Brazil

Neste artigo, contamos os curimbatás na escada de peixes da Cachoeira de Emas, de Outubro/92 a Setembro/93, num dia durante 24h por mês, em diferentes pontos de observação da barragem, durante 5 min a cada hora. A maioria dos peixes (80%) foi observada e contada não na escada de peixes, mas em dois vertedouros adjacentes à sua esquerda, talvez devido ao maior fluxo de água, pois são mais estreitos que a escada. O pico da migração ocorreu em Setembro/Outubro. Inspecionamos o grau de injúria dos peixes a fim de examinar a hipótese de que peixes maiores estariam menos feridos, porém não chegamos a uma conclusão clara. O grau de injúria variou entre diferentes pontos e entre diferentes meses do ano.

Surface characters and extracellular toxins involved in the pathogenesis of Aeromonas hydrophila.

A small number of serotypically distinct strains of A. hydrophila obtained from diseased freshwater fish were examined for their pathogenic properties comprising of cell surface characteristics and extracellular toxins. Test strains exhibited homogeneity in their cell surface characteristics despite being serologically heterogeneous. Studies on extracellular biological activities revealed qualitative and quantitative differences in production of toxins, probably explaining their antigenic diversity. Three distinct proteases, namely heat stable metallo protease, heat labile serine protease and heat labile metallo protease were identified from the strains.

Bactérias com potencial patogênico nos rins e lesöes externas de jundiás (Rhamdia quelen) cultivados em sistema semi-intensivo / Pathogenic bacterials in kidney and external lesions of jundiá (Rhamdia quelen) in semi-intensive fish culture

Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram o de realizar o levantamento e a identificaçäo dos gêneros bacterianos presentes nos rins e lesöes externas de jundiás (Rhandia quelen) criados em tanques, e investigar a existência de correlaçäo entre comprimento, peso e sexo dos peixes e temperatura da água, em relaçäo às bactérias isoladas. Para tanto, foram necropsiados 100 jundiás colhidos durante o período de dezembro de 1995 a outubro de 1996. Para exame bacteriológico, foram utilizadas amostras dos rins de todos os peixes e amostras de lesöes externas, quando presentes. Em 35 dos 100 peixes necropsiados, foram isolados e identificados 11 diferentes gêneros bacterianos descritos como patogênicos para peixes: Plesiomonas shigelloides (15 por cento). Aeromonas sp. (6 por cento), Flavobacterium sp. (5 por cento), Acinetobacter sp. (4 por cento), Vibrio sp. (4 por cento), Pseudomonas sp. (4 por cento), Micrococcus sp. (3 por cento), Staphylococcus sp. (3 por cento), Edwardsiella tarda (3 por cento), Yersinia ruckeri (2 por cento) e Pasteurella sp. (1 por cento). Näo foi evidenciada correlaçäo entre as características dos animais amostrados e temperatura da água em relaçäo ao índice de isolados bacterianos. A bactéria Yersinia ruckeri é pela primeira vez encontrada em peixes no Brasil.

Micobacteriosis por M. marinum: comunicación del primer caso con lesiones esporotricoides en México / Mycobacteriosis for M. marinum: report of a case with sporotrichoid lesions in Mexico

Se hace una breve revisión de la literatura y se presenta el caso de una mujer de 32 años con lesiones esporotricoides gomosas en mano y antebrazo izquierdo. La dermatosis se presentó después de un traumatismo con una pecera doméstica. Se cultivó M. marinum y se trató con rifampicina, amikacina, isoniacida y doxiciclina, con éxito.