Prevalence and haematological changes associated with trypanosome infection in wild tilapia fish in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

There is paucity of information on the incidence and haematological changes associated with trypanosome infection in Nigerian fishes. This investigation examined randomly buffy coat and blood smears of Tilapia in the wild by direct microscopy for Trypanosomes and complete haematology were analyzed. Of the 200 samples collected, 17.5% were positive for trypanosome by buffy coat examination. The Packed cell volume (PCV) of trypanosome-infected fish was 15.3+ 0.9% compared to noninfected fish (p<0.01) with PCV of 38.4+1.3%. All the haematocrit values obtained in trypanosome-infected fish showed the pattern of anaemia in trypanosomiasis. The report establishes the fact that trypanosomiasis in fish is similar to those find in animals.

Keywords: Tilapia, Wild, Trypanosome, Haematology