6533b856fe1ef96bd12b3209

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Eye fluke-induced cataract formation in fish: quantitative analysis using an ophthalmological microscope

Anssi KarvonenE. T. ValtonenOtto Seppälä

subject

medicine.medical_specialtygenetic structuresFish farmingAquacultureTrematode InfectionsDiagnostic Techniques OphthalmologicalCataractFish DiseasesRandom AllocationAquacultureCataractsOphthalmologymedicineAnimalsParasite hostingEye Infections Parasiticbiologybusiness.industryAnatomybiology.organism_classificationmedicine.diseaseeye diseasesInfectious Diseasesmedicine.anatomical_structureDiplostomum spathaceumOncorhynchus mykissLens (anatomy)Animal Science and ZoologyParasitologyRainbow troutTrematodasense organsTrematodabusiness

description

We examined the parasite-induced cataract formation in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) using slit-lamp microscopy to determine the relationship between cataract intensity and number of Diplostomum spathaceum parasites that were established in the lens. Cataract intensity increased significantly with parasite burden, but was also affected by the pattern of exposure to the parasite cercariae. The slit-lamp methodology proved useful in scoring the cataracts since it provides a 3-dimensional view into the lens and gives an actual picture of the location and intensity of the cataracts, which allows detailed investigations of mechanisms underlying cataract formation in various fish species. Potential applications of the method in fish farming and parasitological studies are discussed.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2004-10-01Parasitology
https://doi.org/10.1017/s0031182004006006