Histopathology diagnosis of organs of mullet fish from lac Nokoue (Republic of Benin) and Lagos Lagoon (Nigeria) infected by metazoan parasites

Histopathology diagnosis, revealed histopathological changes induced by myxobolus and copepods parasites on the intestines and gills of economically important fish (Mugil cephalus and Liza falcipinnis) from Lagos lagoon and Lac Nokoue in Nigeria and Republic of Benin respectively. Histopathological changes show that the nature of damage observed in the gills and intestines of both M. cephalus and L. falcipinnis remained the same. In histological sections, shows clusters of myxobolus spores in direct contact with the host tissues resulted in the destruction of intestinal wall and also gradually erode the gill filaments resulting in the appearance of a cavity, the merger of two or three cavity caused by liquefaction of cartilage leads to the destruction of the gill fillaments. Histopathological observation revealed serious damage and destruction of lamellae and gill filaments due to attachment and feeding of copepods. The resultant hypertrophy of the underlying epithelial reducing the surface area for effective respiration, could lead to suffocation, particularly at high temperature. The histopathological changes induced by myxobolus and copepods parasites will eventually lead to reduced growth, low productivity and mortality resulting in economic loss.