Human Endoparasites Present in the Digestive Tracts of Two Species of Cichlidae Fish: Oreochromis Niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Tilapia Tholloni (Sauvage, 1884) Caught in the Malebo Pool (Congo River), D.R. Congo

Abstract

Parasitic diseases of fish are very rarely highlighted in comparison with certain parasitic diseases transmitted to humans through animals or plants such as echinococcosis, bilharziasis or fasciolosis. The aim of this study is to provide knowledge on endoparasites of the human digestive tract that also infest the digestive tracts of two species of Cichlidae fish: Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus, 1758 and Tilapia tholloni Sauvage, 1884 caught in the Congo River (Malebo Pool). Microscopic observations were made on 42 specimens of O. niloticus fish and 42 of T. tholloni. The results obtained showed that the digestive tracts of fish Oreochromis niloticus host 8 species of parasites grouped in 6 genera, 6 families, 4 classes and 2 branches. The species belonging to the phylum Nemathelminths branch were more abundant (58.8%) than Plathelminths (41.2%). Species Trichurus trichiura (23.5%), Ascaris lumbricoides (20.6%), Strongyloides stercoralis (14.7%), Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma intercarlantum (11.8%) were the most frequently observed. On the other hand, microscopic analyses of the digestive tract of Tilapia tholloni revealed the presence of five species of parasites belonging to 3 branches, 4 classes, 4 families and 4 genera. Nemathelminthes (58.3%) and Plathelminthes (25%) are the most represented phylum than Amoebians (16.7%). Enterobius vermicularis (33.3%), Trichocephalus trichuris (25%), Schistosoma haematobium (20.8%) and Entemoeba hystolica (16.7%) were frequently observed. These results confirm the presence of endoparasites in congolese freshwater fish. This information is important in setting up a strategy to protect fish and consumers against these pathogens.