Trypanosoma infection in carrier fish of Lake Victoria, Kenya.

Abstract

The carrier status of the haemoparasite in fish was investigated in randomly selected Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and Nile perch (Lates niloticus). Blood was drawn from the heart using needle and syringe from twenty two live fish (12 tilapia and 10 Nile perch). Thin blood smears were prepared, fixed in methanol, stained with Giemsa and observed under a light microscope. Trypanosomes were observed in five (41.6%) Nile tilapia fish but not in Nile perch. These preliminary findings suggest that Nile tilapia may be more susceptible to Trypanosoma spp. infection than the Nile perch. There is need for further studies to explain the susceptibility difference, parasite role on the health of the fish and whether pollution or climate change have role.