Prevalence of Centrocestus formosanus Metacercariae in Ornamental Fish from Chiang Mai, Thailand, with Molecular Approach Using ITS2.
10.3347/kjp.2017.55.4.445
- Author:
Atcharaphan WANLOP
1
;
Chalobol WONGSAWAD
;
Pongphol PRATTAPONG
;
Pheravut WONGSAWAD
;
Thapana CHONTANANARTH
;
Jong Yil CHAI
Author Information
1. Applied Parasitology Research Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand. wchalobol@gmail.com
- Publication Type:Brief Communication
- Keywords:
Centrocestus formosanus;
ornamental fish;
Carassius auratus;
ITS2;
Chiang Mai
- MeSH:
Carps;
Databases, Nucleic Acid;
Goldfish;
Metacercariae*;
Parasites;
Poecilia;
Prevalence*;
Spine;
Thailand*;
Zebrafish
- From:The Korean Journal of Parasitology
2017;55(4):445-449
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The prevalence of Centrocestus formosanus metacercariae was investigated in ornamental fish purchased from a pet shop in Chiang Mai, Thailand, including Carassius auratus (goldfish), Cyprinus carpio (Koi), Poecilia latipinna (Sailfin Molly), Danio rerio (Zebrafish), and Puntigrus tetrazona (Tiger barb). The parasite species was identified by the morphology of worms as well as by a molecular approach using ITS2. The results showed that 50 (33.3%) of 150 fish examined were infected with the metacercariae. The highest prevalence was found in C. auratus (83.3%), and the highest intensity was noted in C. carpio (70.8 metacercariae/fish). The most important morphological character was the presence of 32–34 circumoral spines on the oral sucker. The phylogenetic studies using the rRNA ITS2 region revealed that all the specimens of C. formosanus in this study were grouped together with C. formosanus in GenBank database. This is the first report on ornamental fish, C. carpio, P. latipinna, D. rerio, and P. tetrazona, taking the role of second intermediate hosts of C. formosanus in Thailand. Prevention and control of metacercarial infection in ornamental fish is urgently needed.
