Abstract:
Oreochromis mossambica was reared at the pilot fingerling production
centre at the Eastern University to supply disease free good quality
fingerling for the public to venture towards stocking the reservoirs.
During the brood stock rearing phase some fish showed the whirling
signs and was suspected to be infected by myxosporean infection.
Different organs of the moribund fish such as kidney, head,
airbladder were removed and processed for histology. Thin sections were
cut and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Spores of myxosporeans
were observed in the cepahlic cartilage and in the swimmbladder. To
complete the description of the Myxobolus sp., DNA from the spores
was extracted for sequencing. PCR products were successfully obtained
and the sequencing work continues for the accurate identification. The
presence of Myxobolus sp could be a threat to the wild population. The
species identification of Myxobolus was confirmed with the molecular
diagnosis.
