J Vet Sci.  2006 Dec;7(4):339-342. 10.4142/jvs.2006.7.4.339.

Site adaptations of Acanthogyrus (Acanthosentis) tilapiae: Observations through light and scanning electron microscopy

• Bayoumy ME
• Abd El-Hady OK
• Osman HA

• KMID: 1089480
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2006.7.4.339

Abstract

Acanthogyrus (Acanthosentis) tilapiae parasites were collected from the intestines of 300 fish belonging to three tilapia species sourced at the River Nile, Giza, Egypt. The proboscis of the parasite was characterized by three rows of hooks that curved towards the posterior of the body. The first row is supported by unmodified hooks. The parasite tegument has a series of alternative folds and a large number of pores. Sensory ganglia are located on the surface of the proboscis and body. Acanthogyrus (Acanthosentis) tilapiae provokes an aggressive host response indicated by hyperplasia of the intestinal goblet cells and focal eosinophil infiltrations. This acanthocephalan parasite shows a highly modified adaptation to its site of host infection.

Keyword

Acanthocephala; Acanthogyrus (Acanthosentis) tilapiae; adaptation; parasites; scanning electron microscopy

MeSH Terms

Acanthocephala/*anatomy & histology/*physiology/ultrastructure
Adaptation, Physiological
Animals
*Cichlids
Egypt
Female
Fish Diseases/*parasitology
Histocytochemistry/veterinary
Intestines/parasitology
Male
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning/veterinary

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Scanning electron micrographs of Acanthogyrus (Acanthosentis) tilapiae. (A) Whole parasite (ventral view). (B) Globular proboscis showing 3 circles of spines (arrows). (C) Invaginated proboscis with sensory ganglia (top view, arrows). (D) Proboscis showing the presence of unmodified hook (white arrow). (E) Tegumental surface viewing tegumental sensory ganglia (arrow) at the body surface. (F) Tegument showing folds and large number of tegumental pores (arrows).

• 

  Fig. 2 (A) Whole mounted Acanthogyrus (Acanthosentis) tilapiae showing different body organs. (B) Acanthogyrus (Acanthosentis) tilapiae in the intestinal lumen (arrows), Longitudinal (right) & cross (left) section. (C) Desquamation of the intestinal epithelium of the host infected with Acanthogyrus (Acanthosentis) tilapiae. Severe hyperplasia (large arrow). Macrophages infilteration (asterisk arrow). (D) Hyperplasia of the goblet cells of the intestinal epithelium infected with Acanthogyrus (Acanthosentis) tilapiae (arrows). (E) Inflammatory reaction at the submucosa associated with edema and mononuclear and eosinophilic infiltration of the intestinal epithelium of the intestinal fish infected with Acanthogyrus (Acanthosentis) tilapiae. Focal manner aggregation of mononuclear and eosinophilic cells. A; acetic acid alum carmine stain, B~D; H&E stain. C; ×40, D; ×200, E; ×400.

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