ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the hematological profile and relative condition factor of naturally parasitized Nile tilapia from 12 fish farms in southern Brazil. A total of 240 fish were collected from four regions of the state of Santa Catarina. They were anesthetized, and the blood was collected by puncturing the caudal vein. Subsequently, the fish were necropsied for parasitological analysis. The results were compared with the Kruskal-Wallis test, and the correlations were verified with the Spearman test (P ˂ 0.05). The parasitological analysis revealed high infestations by Ichthyophthirius multifiliis on the fish gills of the south and west regions. The presence of Trichodina magna and Trichodina compacta was observed in low intensity on the body surface of fish from all facilities. Trichodina spp. was found in high intensity parasitizing the fish gills of northern, Itajaí valley and western regions, nonetheless, in those regions, the presence of Monogenea, Cichlidogyrus sclerosus, and Cichlidogyrus halli, on fish gills was observed. The hematological profile presented altered parameters, featuring monocytosis and thrombocytopenia, possibly associated with high parasitic intensities. The observed correlations suggest that neutrophils and monocytes are directly involved in an organic defense against parasites. Monocytes are mainly targeted in the defense against I. multifiliis.

O presente estudo avaliou, durante dois anos, os parâmetros hematológicos e a ocorrência de parasitos branquiais em jundiá Rhamdia quelen, cultivado no Estado de Santa Catarina, Sul do Brasil. Entre março de 2010 e janeiro de 2012, um total de 137 jundiás foi coletado de uma piscicultura para comparar os parâmetros hematológicos e parasitológicos durante as estações quente e fria. Simultaneamente, foram medidos os parâmetros de qualidade da água do viveiro, para relacionar as condições ambientais com a hematologia e o parasitismo. Na estação quente, houve aumento da temperatura, condutividade elétrica e amônia, e redução do oxigênio dissolvido, pH, transparência e alcalinidade. Duas espécies de Monogenea foram observadas nas brânquias, Aphanoblastella mastigatus (Dactylogyridae) e Scleroductus sp. (Gyrodactylidae). Na estação quente, houve aumento significativo (p<0,05) da intensidade média de infecção por Monogenea, bem como dos valores de leucócitos totais, trombócitos e linfócitos, e redução significativa dos monócitos. As diferenças observadas podem ter sido causadas pelas variações ambientais entre as estações.

This study evaluated for two years the haematological parameters and the occurrence of gill parasites in silver catfish Rhamdia quelen, farmed in the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. Between March 2010 and January 2012, a total of 137 fish were caught in a fish farm to compare the haematological and parasitological analysis, during hot and cold seasons. Simultaneously, water quality parameters were measured in the pond to analyze the relationship between environmental conditions and haematology and parasitism. During the hot season, there was an increase in water temperature, electrical conductivity and ammonia followed by a decrease in dissolved oxygen, pH, transparency and alkalinity. Two species of Monogenea were observed in the gills, Aphanoblastella mastigatus (Dactylogyridae) and Scleroductus sp. (Gyrodactylidae). Additionally, during this season, there was a significant increase (p<0.05) in the mean intensity of infection by Monogenea, as well as total leukocytes number, thrombocytes and lymphocytes, and a reduction in monocytes. The changes might be caused by parasitism and/or environmental variations between seasons.

Este estudo relata a mortalidade em massa de juvenis de bijupirá (Rachycentron canadum) criados em tanques-rede no estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, causada pelo dinoflagelado Amyloodinium ocellatum e o monogenea Neobenedenia melleni. Dois mil e quinhentos peixes estavam estocados à densidade de 0,4 kg/m3 em tanques-rede de 12 m3, no período do outono (15,0 ± 7,3 g; peso médio ± DP) e inverno (peso médio de 43,0 ± 5,6 g). Banhos de água doce foram realizados rotineiramente à medida que os sintomas eram detectados, quando então, foram efetuadas duas colheitas, sendo a primeira em maio de 2011 (n = 5) e a segunda em setembro de 2011 (n = 10). Na primeira colheita, a prevalência de N. melleni foi de 100% e a intensidade média de 42,0 ± 1,7, e na segunda, a prevalência foi de 60% e intensidade média de 3,0 ± 0,2 e abundância média de 1,8 + 0,4. Na segunda colheita, observou-se a presença de A. ocellatum (prevalência de 100%, intensidade média de 46,8 ± 3,4). Possivelmente, a causa da mortalidade estava relacionada à redução na resistência dos peixes após o primeiro contato com o parasito monogenea, juntamente com a dificuldade respiratória causada pelo dinoflagelado nas brânquias.

This study reports a disease outbreak among juvenile cobia (Rachycentron canadum) farmed in cages in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, caused by the dinoflagellate Amyloodinium ocellatum and the monogenean Neobenedenia melleni. Two thousand five hundred fish were stocked at 0.4 kg/m3 in a set of 12 m3 tanks, in autumn (mean weight 15.0 ± 7.3 g) and in winter (mean weight 43.0 ± 5.6 g). Freshwater baths were administered as a routine treatment, as the symptoms were detected followed by two collection samples. Firstly in May 2011 (n = 5) and secondly in September 2011 (n = 10). In the first sample, the prevalence of N. melleni on the body surface was 100% and the mean intensity was 42.0 ± 1.7, while in the second sample the prevalence was 60% with a mean intensity 3.0 ± 0.2 and mean abundance 1.8 ± 0.4. Amyloodinium ocellatum was only found in the second sample, at a prevalence 100% and mean intensity 46.8 ± 3.4. The cause of fish mortality was possibly associated with a decrease in fish resistance after the first contact with monogenean parasites, allied with respiratory difficulty caused by the presence of A. ocellatum in the gills.