FUNGAL INFECTION CAUSES HISTOPATHOLOGICAL ALTERATIONS IN GILL AND PANCREAS OF CHANNA STRIATUS

Histomorphological changes were observed to assess the effect of fungus on gill and pancreas of Channa striatus. The most frequent histological changes detected in the gills included hypertrophy, hyperplasia and fusion of secondary lamellae. Other lesions found were vacuolization and blood congestion in Pancreas. The colonization of aquatic fungi in teleost fish is a severe problem affecting both wild and cultured fish population. However, the fungal infection is more abundant in the captive environment which adversely affects fish industry. An external fungal infection cause lesions, subsequently become enlarge and may lead death. Stress, physical injury, malnutrition and poor water quality increase the susceptibility of fungal infections. Gill and Pancreas are responsible for vital functions such as respiration, excretion, erythropoiesis, regulating blood pressure and the accumulation. The alterations found in these organs are easier to identify than functional ones and serve as warning signs of damage to animal health. Hence, the study of tissue deformities in respect to fungal infection which is commonly encountered in freshwater aquaculture needs to be studied in order to attain maximum yield. Keeping this in mind, the present study was carried out in order to understand and describe the degree of histological alterations in Gill and Pancreas following fungal infection.