The impact of the cestode Triaenophorus nodulosus (Cestoda, Bothriocephalidae) on hematological parameters of predatory fish

S. L. Honcharov; N. M. Soroka; A. I. Dubovyi; O. V. Zhurenko; O. V. Mazannyi

doi:10.15421/0225108

S. L. Honcharov National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine
N. M. Soroka National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine
A. I. Dubovyi University of New South Wales
O. V. Zhurenko National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine
O. V. Mazannyi State Biotechnological University

Keywords: triaenophorosis, fish helminthiases, biochemical blood analyses, pike, Esox lucius, perch, Perca fluviatilis.

Abstract

To evaluate the impact of Triaenophorus nodulosus cestode infections on the hematological and biochemical parameters of predatory fish species, a comprehensive study was conducted on northern pike ( Esox lucius ) and European perch ( Perca fluviatilis ) collected from natural freshwater bodies in Ukraine (Dnieper River basin, Kyiv region). The fish exhibited natural infections at various developmental stages of the parasite: plerocercoids in perch and mature forms in pike. For comparison, uninfected control groups from the same sampling sites were also examined. Blood samples were collected from all individuals to assess red and white blood cell counts, hemoglobin concentration, leukocyte differential counts, and a range of metabolic parameters, including total protein and glucose levels, the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), the De Ritis ratio (AST/ALT), and creatinine concentration. In infected perch, red blood cell counts decreased by 15.4%, and hemoglobin concentration dropped by 28.9%, while in pike, the reductions were 28.6% and 28.5%, respectively. Biochemical analysis revealed a decline in total protein levels by 22.3% in pike and 33.4% in perch, and glucose levels decreased by 28.2% in pike and 15.4% in perch compared to uninfected controls. ALT activity increased 2.06-fold in infected pike and 4.37-fold in perch, while AST activity rose 1.48-fold and 1.78-fold, respectively. The De Ritis ratio in pike showed a downward trend, potentially indicating hepatopancreatic tissue damage. Elevated creatinine levels in individual i n fected fish suggest possible renal dysfunction. The most pronounced pathological changes were observed in perch infected with larval stages of the parasite. The results indicate that the severity of hematological and biochemical alterations depends on both the host species and the developmental stage of the parasite. Active circulation of T. nodulosus in inland freshwater bodies of Ukraine was confirmed. These findings may serve as a basis for developing diagnostic tools for ichthyoparasitological monitoring in aquaculture and wild fish population management.

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