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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #175875
Title: BOLBOPHORUS INFECTIONS IN CULTURED FATHEAD MINNOWS

Author
item Mitchell, Andrew
item GOODWIN, ANDREW - UAPB
item LEVY, MICHAEL - NCSU

Submitted to: Journal of Aquatic Animal Health
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/13/2005
Publication Date: 4/18/2006
Citation: Mitchell, A.J., Goodwin, A.E., Levy, M.G. 2006. Bolbophorus infections in cultured fathead minnows. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health. 18:55-57.

Interpretive Summary: This paper is the first report of a naturally occurring infection of Bolbophorus damnificus in a fish other than a member of the catfish family (Ictaluridae). Bolbophorus damnificus is a trematode known to cause heavy fish losses in catfish production facilities. A heavy infection of mixed Bolbophorus trematodes was found in fathead minnows raised in baitfish ponds. Identification of 10 trematodes was made using a Bolbophorus-species-specific PCR assays and 9 were determined to be an unnamed Bolbophorus species and 1 was B. damnificus. Little damage to the fish was noted following a pathological evaluation of the infected fish however, some parasite damage was noted in association with an occasional parasite (parasite species was not differentiated in the pathological study). Further studies would be required to determine if a similar infection containing mostly B. damnificus would be more harmful to the fathead minnows.

Technical Abstract: Bolbophorus trematodes in fish have recently gained national attention because Bolbophorus damnificus infections have caused major losses of commercially raised channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. We report the presence of a mixed infection, Bolbophorus damnificus and B. sp., in fathead minnows Pimephales promelas. Of the 10 trematodes identified by Bolbophorus-species-specific PCR assays, 9 were B. sp and 1 was B. damnificus. This is the first report of a natural infection of B. damnificus in a non-ictaurid host. In fathead minnows, prodiplostomula examined histologically were surrounded by thin-walled cysts rarely accompanied by an inflammatory reaction consisting primarily of macrophages. The more intense inflammatory response may have been associated with prodiplostoma of B. damnificus.