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Diseases of Aquatic Organisms

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DAO 97:143-154 (2011)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/dao02406

Histopathological and ultrastructural studies of the tapeworm Monobothrium wageneri (Caryophyllidea) in the intestinal tract of tench Tinca tinca

C. F. Williams1,*, L. G. Poddubnaya2, T. Scholz3, J. F. Turnbull4, H. W. Ferguson5

1Environment Agency, Bromholme Lane, Brampton, Cambridgeshire, PE28 4NE, UK
2Institute of Biology for Inland Waters, Russian Academy of Sciences, 152742, Borok, Yaroslavl Province, Russia
3Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Bude˘jovice, Czech Republic
4Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
5Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St George’s University, Grenada, West Indies

ABSTRACT: Monobothrium wageneri is a monozoic caryophyllidean tapeworm of tench Tinca tinca. The pathological changes caused by this parasite within the intestinal tract of wild tench are described for the first time. Parasites were found attached to the anterior third of the intestine in tight clusters comprising up to 109 tapeworms. Infection was associated with the formation of raised inflammatory swellings surrounding the parasites. This host response, combined with the deep penetration of the scolex into the gut wall, formed a very firm seat of parasite attachment. Histopathological changes were characterised by a pronounced fibrogranulomatous lesion that extended through all layers of the intestine. This was accompanied by haemorrhage, oedema, necrosis and degeneration of the muscularis. A marked eosinophilic interface layer between the scolex of the tapeworm and gut wall indicated intimate host–parasite contact. Ultrastructural examinations revealed coniform spinitriches covering the neck and lateral sides of the scolex and capilliform filitriches present on the apical end of the scolex. Numerous glandular cytons (tegumental glands) were recorded throughout the scolex tegument. Large numbers of secretory granules discharged from the glands through a network of processes onto the scolex surface were consistent with distancing the cellular responses of the host. Observations of severe inflammatory lesions, partial intestinal occlusion and the potential for intestinal perforation represent important pathological changes that are consistent with loss of normal gut function. The lesions associated with the attachment of M. wageneri are more severe than those recorded for any other tapeworm of British freshwater fish.


KEY WORDS: Monobothrium wageneri · Pathology · Tapeworm · Tench · Fisheries


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Cite this article as: Williams CF, Poddubnaya LG, Scholz T, Turnbull JF, Ferguson HW (2011) Histopathological and ultrastructural studies of the tapeworm Monobothrium wageneri (Caryophyllidea) in the intestinal tract of tench Tinca tinca. Dis Aquat Org 97:143-154. https://doi.org/10.3354/dao02406

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