Pathological Effects of Vagococcus carniphilus Infection in Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822) Juveniles

Aquatic disease caused by bacteria have resulted in significant losses in aquaculture. This study aims to evaluate pathological effects of Vagococcus carniphilus infection in Clarias gariepinus Juveniles. One hundred and sixty eight healthy Clarias gariepinus juveniles were acclimatised divided in two groups with three replicates (n=28). The infected group were immersed in a liter of water containing 7.5 X 108 CFU/ ml of Vagococcus carniphilus. Both the infected and control groups were observed over a 28-day period. Blood was collected at 28 days post- infection and analysed for hematological parameters {packed cell volume (PCV, %), red blood cell (RBC, x 1012/L), white blood cell (WBC, x 1012/L), lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, and eosinophils} and serum biochemical parameters {total protein (g/dL), albumin (g/dl), globulin (g/dl), aspartate aminotransferase (AST, units/L), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT, units/L)}. The liver, kidney, gill, and skin samples were analysed for histopathological impairments via standard stains. The data were analyzed for differences (p<0.05) via an independent t-test. The PCVs and neutrophils significantly decreased in the infected groups, whereas, WBCs, eosinophils, and ASTs increased, respectively. The infected V. carniphilus Clarias gariepinus juveniles presented necrosis of the kidney, mild congestion of the liver, degeneration of the gill arch, and skin deposition. The V. carniphilus infection is associated with the breakdown of blood cells and the impairment of organs in C. gariepinus. The infected fishes presented increased lymphocytosis. Vagococcus carniphilus was pathogenic and caused organ damages in infected African catfish