Infection of Cestode Parasites in Channa punctatus Fish in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India

Snakehead fishes are widely consumed throughout India because of their good taste of meat and high nutrient values. Parasitic infection constitutes significant economic loss in fish production. The present study deals with histopathological Study of Cestode parasites in Channa punctatus from Sagar region of Madhya Pradesh. Such type of study has been not conducted in this region.

Cestode lives in a very hazardous environment as there is continuous movement of the gut lining, and causes severe damage to the overall health of fishes. Hematology plays a crucial role in diagnosis of fish diseases. In the presented study, a total of 150 individuals of Channa punctatus were examined. A total 45 were found to be infected with cestodes parasites, during the period from February 2022 to January 2024. The histopathology of the infected tissues indicated the following interface: tissue damage and infected liver showed degeneration of hepatocytes as well as cytoplasmic vacuolation, nuclear alterations and necrosis. Parasite derives nutritive material required for growth, from host tissue by causing damage to it. Blood parameters are useful for the measurement of hematological disturbances in parasitized fishes and provide information about the disorders in the host. So, the present investigation was carried out to study the effects of parasites on the blood cells of a freshwater fish, Channa punctatus. The hematological manifestation of the infected Channa punctatus (host) showed remarkable decrease in red blood cells (RBC), increased white blood cells (WBC) and it is found that neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils of infected fishes were remarkably reduced, and hemoglobin content were also significantly reduced compared to uninfected fishes. Infected fishes showed symptoms like anemia.