Research Communication

Selected haematological changes in Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) infected with a Trypansosoma sp. from the Vaal Dam, South Africa

Maryke L. Ferreira, Annemarie Avenant-Oldewage
Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research | Vol 80, No 1 | a572 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ojvr.v80i1.572 | © 2013 Maryke L. Ferreira, Annemarie Avenant-Oldewage | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 04 February 2013 | Published: 13 June 2013

About the author(s)

Maryke L. Ferreira, Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Annemarie Avenant-Oldewage, Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract

The use of haematological techniques to assess fish health is generally accepted. The aim of the current study was to determine selected haematological changes that occur in Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822). infected with trypanosomes. Blood films were prepared according to standard techniques to confirm trypanosome infections and whole blood was collected, the serum and plasma separated, and prepared for albumin and total protein concentration analysis. Plasma albumin levels were significantly higher in infected wild caught fish than in uninfected wild caught fish and uninfected breeding stock. Serum albumin levels were significantly lower in infected wild caught fish when compared to uninfected breeding stock. The total plasma and serum protein levels were within the normal range for C. gariepinus, that is, 3 g – 6 g/100 mL. The total plasma protein levels varied significantly between the three groups. However, the total serum protein levels were only significantly different between uninfected breeding stock and uninfected wild caught fish, as well as uninfected breeding stock and infected wild caught fish. The total protein levels were significantly higher in infected wild caught fish than in the other groups, a possible indication of an infection or inflammatory host response.

Keywords

Trypanosoma; Clarias gariepinus; Vaal River; total protein concentration; haemoglobin; albumin concentration

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