Prof. Neelimn Gupta*
Dean, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Department of Animal Science, MJP Rohilkhand University, Bareilly – 243006, U.P., India
Introduction
“Piscine haemoflagellates” is rather a vague term and includes leech transmitted kinetoplastids from the blood of a large variety of host species, which are united more by following a similar way of life in water rather than by forming a technical homogenous group.Flagellate parasites of fish have not been investigated as extensively as those infecting man and domestic animals. The available literature is scattered and warrants extensive and sophisticated studies. Detailed investigations on morphology, ultrastructure, taxonomy, metabolism. biochemical and genetic characteristics, developmental and transmission cycles, ecological responses and impacts, pathogenecity and control measures are to be conducted in order to gain insight into the true biological characteristics of flagellates.
Parasitic flagellates in the peripheral circulation of fishes primarily belong to two genera, Trypanosoma Gruby, 1843 and Trypanoplasma Laveran and Mesnil, 1901 (Mastigophora) the former being a monoflagellate and the latter biflagellate. Interest in trypanosome infection in fish has increased over the last 30-35 years because of their perceived importance in fish.
Trypanosomes are haemoflagellates having a single free flagellum at the anterior end of the body. The first trypanosome was discovered from the blood of Salmo fario by Valentin (1841). From India , Lingard(1904) recorded the first trypanosome from Barbus carniticus from Poona but the description lacked mensural data.
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