1. RT. Pawar et al., IJSID, 2012, 2 (5), 466-470
ISSN:2249-5347
IJSID
International Journal of Science Innovations and Discoveries An International peer
Review Journal for Science
Research Article Available online through www.ijsidonline.info
HISTOPATHOLOGY OF INTESTINAL TISSUE OF MASTACEMBELUS ARMATUS PARASITIZED BY PTYCHOBOTHRIDAE
CESTODE PARASITES
Department of Zoology, Majalgaon Arts, Science and Commerce College, Majalgaon, Dist. Beed. (M.S.) India.
R. T. PAWAR
Received: 24-09-2012 ABSTRACT
The present study communication deals with the study of histopathological changes
Accepted: 14-10-2012
occurred in the intestinal tissue of Mastacembelus armatus collected from Marathwada
region. The intestinal tissue recognized was parasitized by ptychobothridae cestode
*Corresponding Author
belonging to genus Senga Sp (Dollfus 1934). Here the cestode parasite having armed
scolex adheres to intestinal tissue with the help of scolex and cause damages to villi,
epithelium of host tissue. The worms are having pathogenic nature and are harmful to
fishes and have got importance in aquaculture point of view i.e. the fish disease
management side.
Address: Key words: Ptychobothridae Cestode parasites, Mastacembelu armatus, Senga and
Name: Histopathology.
RT. Pawar
Place: INTRODUCTION
Majalgaon Arts Science and
Commerce College, Majalgaon,
MS, India
E-mail:
drrajpawar@rediffmail.com
INTRODUCTION
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2. RT. Pawar et al., IJSID, 2012, 2 (5), 466-470
Thus the host parasite relationship results in the gain of one organism and the loss of another and leads to various
INTRODUCTION
diseases and disorders. Naturally it is important to study this relationship, not because of their parasitological value but for the
relative existence of mankind. These studies may have considerable intrinsic interest and raise fundamental questions,
common to other areas of biology, at a molecular, cellular, tissue and whole organism level.
The host parasite relationship in cestodes is complex one, involving interactions between at least two or more
genetically systems, namely those of the parasite, its intermediate and its definitive host. Thus if a cestode, has to survive, must
be suitably adopted to the morphology, physiology, biochemistry, immunology and ecology of its hosts.
Review on the pathogenesis of adult cestodes has been made by Rees, G. (1967). There is also extensive literature on
the pathogenesis of larval cestodes in fish, but little is known of the reactions in the invertebrate’s hosts, and many adult
parasite tapeworms have been studied, for their histopathology. For example in Pseudophylleidea, Bothriocephalus
gowkongensis was studied by Kortings, (1977). In fishes Mcvicar (1972) described host parasite relationship of
Echeneibothrium, Phyllobothrium and Acanthobothrium. Sircar and Sinha (1980) have also studied the histopathology of
Lytocestus indicus.
Never the less quit of few reports on the pathogenicity of cestode on fishes are available i. e (Sindernann 1970, Bylund 1972).
In this fist investigation we studied the histopathology of fish by cestode from Mastacembeleus armatus.
For the histopathological study, the freshwater fish, Mastacembelus armatus were brought to the laboratory and
MATERIALS AND METHODS
dissected out the intestine. Some of the intestines were infected and some were not. The worms were collected washed in
saline solution, flattened, preserved in 4% formalin and later processed for taxonomical studies. The infected intestine with
cestode parasites on closer observation identified as genus Senga Sp (Dollfus 1934). The worms, which were attached to
intestine, were kept intact and small pieces of such intestines and other healthy intestine were fixed in Bouin’s fluid fixative.
Fixed tissues were washed, dehydrated through alcoholic grades, cleared in xylene and embedded in paraffin wax with melting
point (58-60oC).
Blocks were cut at 8mµ and slides were stained with Haematoxylin: eosin stain. Best slides were selected and
observed under the microscope for histopathological study.
The normal histological structure (Healthy intestine) of the host Mastacembelus armatus showed that the healthy villi
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
and all layers i.e. serosa, muscularis mucosa, submucosa and mucosa are clearly observed (Fig. I).
The histopathology of infected intestine with the cestode Senga Sp. is showing penetrative type of scolex, invades
through the tissues and cause damages to villi, epithelium of host tissue. In the longitudinal section seen that the worm are
approaching to the intestinal villi. The mucosal layer of intestine and invades the host tissue, the worm is not only successful to
enter into the intestine forming the ulceration in the intestinal wall; causing damage to the host tissue (Fig. II). The parasites
were either free in the intestinal lumen of mixed with necrotic debris consisting of mucosal epithelium and monocular cells or
embedded in the infesting of fibrocytes, lymphocytes, plasma cells and macrophages.
International Journal of Science Innovations and Discoveries, Volume 2, Issue 5, September-October 2012
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3. RT. Pawar et al., IJSID, 2012, 2 (5), 466-470
Fig. I- T. S. of normal histological architecture of the host M. armatus
Fig. III & IV showing the magnified transverse section of penetration of parasites up to muscularis layer and entangled
scolices.
Fig. II- L.S. of infected intestine showing damaged area, penetrative type of scolex and adhered of scolices.
International Journal of Science Innovations and Discoveries, Volume 2, Issue 5, September-October 2012
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4. RT. Pawar et al., IJSID, 2012, 2 (5), 466-470
Fig. III & IV- T. S. of Infected intestine showing the penetration of parasites and entangled scolices. (Magnified)
It is essential to study in detail the hosts nutrition other aspects in relation to parasitic interaction but from above it
can be concluded that the worms, Senga Sp. finds the food material and other favorable necessary requirement for its
nourishment and growth from the host tissue by causing damage to the intestinal tissue of host. This result is in accordance
with the Mackiewicz (1972). However, the helminthes crosses majority of the intestinal layers (internal epithelium,
submucosa,muscularis layer) and come to lie near serosa suggesting that, it is very dangerous and destructive parasites to the
The worms are having pathogenic nature and are harmful to fishes and have got importance in aquaculture point of
definitive host (C. J. Hiware,2008 )
view i.e. the fish disease management side.
International Journal of Science Innovations and Discoveries, Volume 2, Issue 5, September-October 2012
469

5. RT. Pawar et al., IJSID, 2012, 2 (5), 466-470
The authors are thankful to the Head, Department of Zoology, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University,
Acknowledgement
Aurangabad, India for providing necessary laboratory and library facilities during tenure of this work.
1. Bylund ,G (1972) : Pathogenic effects of Diphyllabathriid plerocercoid on its host fishes commentationes biologicae,
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