Infection with Trypanosoma spp. in Platydoras armatulus (Siluriformes, Doradidae), in southwestern Amazon, Brazil

AbstractTrypanosoma is a hemoflagellate capable of infecting a wide variety of invertebrates and vertebrates, such as Neotropical freshwater fish. The present study described and morphologically comparedTrypanosoma spp., found inPlatydoras armatulus, Valenciennes, 1840, in southwestern Amazon. Fish specimens were sampled in Ipixuna and Juru á rivers located in the states of Amazonas and Acre, Brazil. Fish blood samples were taken by cardiac puncture, and smears were prepared for quantification, morphometric measurements, and morphotyping (characterization of the trypanosomes according to their morphological variations) of trypanosomes found. Prevalence, mean abundance, and intensity of parasitism were estimated in the parasitized fish specimens. Five fish specimens were collected, showing a 100% prevalence of parasites in the host. We found twoTrypanosoma morphotypes, A and B, in which A had the highest infection intensity in host specimens. Thus, the present study presented the first report ofTrypanosoma parasitizingP. armatulus, with different morphological variations.
Source: Journal of Parasitic Diseases - Category: Parasitology Source Type: research