Light and Scanning Electron Microscopic Studies of Trypanosomes Parasites Infecting Freshwater Fishes in Qena Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

Freshwater fishes were sampled from different localities in the River Nile at Qena Governorate (Qus, Qift, Dandara, El-Trammsa, El-Maana, Dishna and Nag-Hammady). Investigation revealed that Trypanosoma were found parasitized blood of many fish species. Out of 581 blood smears examined, 143 revealed trypanosomes infection with a prevalence of 24.6%. The infected fishes are belonging to seven species and four families. Trypanosomes parasites were found belonged to three species with different infection rates: T. mukasai Van As et al. 2004 (28.3%); T. cyanophilum Mohamed, 1978 (52.9%) and T. cataractae Putz, 1972 (1.5%). A new Trypanosoma species was found infecting Ch. ruppelli fish with an infection rate of 1.96%. Histological sections showed the presence of the adult stage of T. mukasai in between liver cells. Also T. mukasai had been examined using scanning electron microscope.