Haematological and histopathological study on the internal white spot disease on snakehead fish (Channa striat) in the Mekong Delta.

Abstract

Aeromonas schubertii is a causative agent of internal white spot disease in snakehead fish (Channa striata). Internal white spot disease had increased highly mortality on snakehead fish farms in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. The study is aimed to determine histopathological and hematological characteristics from diseased snakehead fish. Total of 46 fish samples, 13 healthy fish and 33 internal white spots disease fish were collected from commercial farms in Dong Thap and An Giang provinces. Results of histopathological examination of white spot disease specimen revealed congestion and hemorrhage in the liver, kidney and spleen. Moreover, the occurrence of granulomas nodules and inflammatory in internal organs such as spleen, kidney and liver were observed. Results from hematological analysis revealed a significant different (p<0.05) in total number red blood cell and it was observed a number of no nucleic cells in diseased fish. Generally, leukocytes in diseased fish was seen significantly lower (P<0.05) when compared with healthy fish. This study provides fundamental understanding for diagnosis and fish health management.