Histopathological Study of Intestine of Fresh Water Fish Channa Punctatus (Bloch, 1793) Infected With Encysted Metacercariae from District Badin, Sindh, Pakistan.

Abstract

This study was conducted to know the pathological changes in the intestine of fresh water fish channa punctatus naturally infected with encysted metacercariae. During present investigations 75 fishes (Channa punctatus) were examined and parasites were collected from the intestine of dissected fishes. Thereafter pieces of infected intestine were fixed in Bouin’s fluid and collected cysts were preserved by using standard techniques of staining and mounting. For histopathological examinations tissues were embedded in paraffin wax and 5-7 µ thick sections prepared. The hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining techniques were used. Histopathology of intestine showed disintegration of villi, lamina propria and inflammatory cells. Encysted parts of parasite found attached with muscular mucosa causing damage to the intestine.