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Research Article
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Erythrophoroma and Vertebral Dysplasia in Mystus gulio
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V.S. Beena,
E. Sherly Williams,
L. Razeena Karim
and
M.S. Vishnu Nair
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ABSTRACT
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Fishes found in polluted waters is susceptible to get affected by tumors which forms the base of the present study. The study is focused on Mytus gulio, a resident along the Veli lake stretch. This lake gets polluted from the nearby industrial stretches and also by human activities. On behalf of the study it was observe that the fishes were affected by tumour which was reddish in color with an unpigmented multilobular growth found at the caudal peduncle of the fish. Fusiform cells arranged in parallel arrays, multinucleate giant cells, pleomorphic cells and focal areas of hemorrhage with nests of tumor cells were interspersed throughout the tissue. Disposition of the vertebra, dysplastic vertebral bone, conical protrusion under the skin and at the base of the caudal fin etc. were noticed which is said to be the histopathological symptoms of erythrophorma, the tumor. The occurrence of these deformities was attributed to the intensity of industrial as well as sewage pollution in the environment. Through, the study it was found that infectious causes of deformities were of high percentage, so more studies and researches are to be done in the field and effective preventive measures must be put forward.
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Received: March 12, 2013;
Accepted: April 09, 2013;
Published: January 09, 2014
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INTRODUCTION
Toxicants in aquatic systems causes adverse effects on fishes mainly tumours.
Some types of tumors are effective monitors of ecosystem health. Even tumors
caused by genomic interactions or by virus would not be good indicators. The
present study is aiming to demonstrate tumors in fish from polluted areas and
found to support a tumor-pollution linkage. Thus certain lesions in fish species
or species groups may serve as a mechanism to assess one facet of ecosystem
health. Mystus gulio (Hamilton-Buchanan, 1822)
commonly known as Long Whiskers Cat fish, is widely distributed in the seas,
estuaries and tidal waters of Sind, India and Burma (Day,
1878). Anthropogenic influx creates a wide array of disastrous effects on
land as well as water which ultimately result in depletion of water quality.
Pollutants in water include a wide spectrum of chemicals, pathogens, etc. These
pollutants promote stress in the environment and there by negatively affects
the natural system of living forms (Mukherjee, 2011).
Several sites along Kerala are extremely under the threat of pollution from
various sources especially Veli, Akkulam etc. (Anu and Latha,
2009).
Fish being a cheap source of rich protein for a balanced diet. Its culture
and propagation have been given great priority in most of the developing countries.
One of the serious problem faced in inland fisheries is the same problem (Moses
et al., 2011; Sheela et al., 2011).
Water pollution in India has become a major problem threatening the health of
millions of people. Water pollution severely affects the aquatic life. India
is today facing a serious problem of massive fish death and disease as an after
effect of industrial pollution (Arvind, 2002). Some of
the diseases which is seen to affect Mystus gulio and illustrated in
the work are tumor, malformations in different tissues and deformity. The reasons
for these malformations are attributed to the industrial effluents dumped to
Veli Lake from Travancore Titanium Products, English clay factory and also from
domestic sewage (Akiyama et al., 1986; Joseph
et al., 2012; Baumann and Hamilton.,1984;
Moses et al., 2011; Sheela
et al., 2011). Tumors which are the non infectious diseases will
affect the health of the fish (Paperna,1996). Contaminants
or pollutants in water can be carcinogenic to aquatic wild life. Fish tumors
have attracted the attention of several scientists (Smith,
2000; Matsusato, 1986; Paperna,
1996). Deformities have frequently been reported in fish and several factors
have been attributed as causes for such conditions. Deformities may be due to
lack of vitamins, infections by parasites, hereditary factors or mechanical
injuries. Deformities caused by pollutants are reported by several scientists
(Akiyama et al., 1986; Chonder,
1979; Koyama, 1996; Kraybill,
1976; Bengtsson, 1979; Srivastava,
1984; Das and Mukherjee, 2000; Murali
and Anchrews, 1978; Shrestha, 1985). The main objective
behind the present study is to cram the impact of pollutants on Mystus gulio
and its after effects.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study site: The site selected for the present study was Veli Lake. It
is a unique inland lake, separated by a narrow sand bar from the Arabian Sea.
The lake is located in the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram District. The Veli
industrial area is situated at a distance of 10 km from the city. There are
a number of large, medium and small industries along this area. The industrial
area is affected by acute environmental problems causing adverse effects on
health of the people. In addition to this, the water at Parvathi Puthanar gets
polluted from the partly treated and untreated sewage discharged from the Sewage
Treatment Plant.
Study period and sampling methods: The study was conducted for a period
of one year from June 2010 to May 2011.
The samplings were made monthly using traditional fish capturing methods (http://www.ilmb.gov.bc.ca/risc/pubs/aquatic/fishcol/assets/fishml04.pdf).
Mystus gulio was selected as the study material for the present study,
as the fish showed abnormal tumorous growth. In the Laboratory the length (cm)
and weight (g) of each sample was measured accurately to the nearest millimeter
and milligram, respectively.
Histological procedure: The portion of the tumor along with caudal peduncle
was fixed in 10% formalin after primary examinations during the study period.
After fixation, the samples were rinsed in water, dehydrated in graded ethanol
solutions, cleared in xylene and embedded in paraffin. Dewaxed sections (5-6
μm) were stained for histological and histochemical purposes with haematoxylin
and eosin (H and E), Periodic-acid Schiff (PAS) and Alcian blue (pH 2.5). The
sections were examined with a LEO 906 transmission electron microscope (Humason,
1979).
RESULTS
Tumor: The tumor noticed in M. gulio was reddish in color with
an unpigmented multilobular growth found at the caudal peduncle of the fish
(Fig. 1).
It was lightly collagenized, well vascularised, ulcerated and spindle shaped
cell mass. Long delicate cytoplasmic extension provide a neural look. The biopsy
from the outer edge of the lesion consisted of structurally intact epidermis
(Fig. 2). The epidermis appeared normal and contained abundant
mucous cells.The area beneath the basal lamina consisted of tumor cell pegs.
Cells at the outer edge of the lesion were large and pleomorphic. Focal areas
of hemorrhage were interspersed throughout the tissue (Fig. 3).
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Fig. 1: |
M. gulio with an unpigmented multilobular growth at
the caudal peduncle (T-Tumor) |
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Fig. 2: |
Biopsy showing structurally intact epidermis (ED: Epidermis,
H: hemorrhage) |
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Fig. 3: |
Area beneath the basal lamina with tumor (H: hemorrhage, BC:
Blast cell) |
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Fig. 4: |
Central part of the lesion with red pigmented granules (PG:
Pigmented granules, MN: Multiple nucleoli) |
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Fig. 5: |
Pleomorphic cells with large nuclei and multiple nucleoli
(PG: Pigmented granules MN: Multiple nucleoli) |
Nuclei also varied in size and shape and frequently contained multiple nucleoli.
Multinucleate giant cells were also present. Deeper cells were fusiform, spindle
shaped stellate and more uniform in size and shape. The fusiform cells were
arranged in parallel arrays. Towards the central part of the lesion no uniform
cellular morphology or tissue architecture was apparent.
Red pigmented granules were present (Fig. 4), large pleomorphic
cells with large nuclei and multiple nucleoli were present (Fig.
5). Cells were fusiform and spindle shaped. The fusiform cells were arranged
in parallel arrays, while the other type of cells in irregular pattern. Focal
areas of haemorrhage and congested capillaries were also seen in the central
part of the lesion. Focal nests of tumor cells (Fig. 6) were
apparent in several areas.
Although pigment analysis were not made ,the morphologic characteristics of
the tumor cells and the location of the lesion in a red pigmented area of the
fish skin suggest diagnosis of erythrophoroma.
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Fig. 6: |
Focal nests of tumor cells (PG: Pigmented granulesm) |
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Fig. 7: |
Caudal peduncle of M. guliowith (D: Deformity) |
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Fig. 8: |
Conical protrusion under the skin deformity |
Since the site of collection is subjected to industrial effluents as well as
domestic sewage possibility of pollution can be one reason for the occurrence
of tumor.
Deformity: The deformity was noticed at the caudal peduncle of M.
gulio (Fig. 7). It was in the form of a conical protrusion
under the skin and at the base of the caudal fin (Fig. 8).
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Fig. 9: |
Position of the vertebral column with associated muscle bands
(VC: Vertebral column, MB: Muscle band) |
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Fig. 10: |
Disposition of the vertebrae (VD: Vertebral disposition) |
The caudal peduncle was bending approximately at 90°. Figure
9 represents the position of the vertebral column and the associated muscle
bands.
Disposition of the vertebrae is shown in Fig. 10 and on
the Fig. 11.The curvature of the vertebral column and the
disposition of the vertebra had resulted in the formation of a tumor like outgrowth
and the vertebral disposition was found continued to the tail (Fig.
12).
From these observations it could be inferred that the backbone makes a lateral
curvature halfway between the dorsal fin and the caudal peduncle. The caudal
tip of the backbone makes an abrupt 90° lateral bend and terminates in a
spike to account for the protrusion grossly apparent on the caudal peduncle.
Vertebral bone is slightly dysplastic proximal to the bend. There is no evidence
of callus formation or inflammatory reaction associated with the bend to indicate
a recent fracture. This combination of anomalies conclude that this deformity
is due to the vertebral dysplasia and malformation following an old traumatic
injury.
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Fig. 11: |
Disposition of the vertebrae (VD: Vertebral disposition) |
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Fig. 12: |
Vertebral disposition was found continued to the tail (TG:
tumorous growth, VD: Vertebral disposition) |
DISCUSSION
Neoplasia occur commonly in some fishes from certain localities and the reports
are on increase (Couch and Harshbarger, 1985; Paperna,
1996; Wellings, 1969). In the present study tumorous
growth was observed on the caudal peduncle in M. gulio. Several neoplastic
conditions have been reported due to parasites like digenetic trematodes. The
occurrence of skin tumors in fish may have direct causal association with the
presence in the marine environment of chemical carcinogens arising from industrial
and other waste (Hard et al., 1979; Grace,
2007; Nigrelli et al., 1965; Stitch
and Acton, 1976; Wellings, 1970). Furthermore, it
is believed that fish species capable of expressing a high cancer prevalence
may serve as a useful function as indicators of the quality and quantity of
pollution (Hiraoka and Okuda, 1983; WHO,
1976). The present reports of diseased conditions in M. gulio was
also made from the Veli Lake,a situation highly polluted with industrial effluents
and sewage disposal. The accumulation of pollutants in soil can have a direct
impact on the body as M. gulio being a bottom feeder. Occurrence of tumors
is more frequent in bottom living fishes (Hard et al.,
1979; Overstreet and Howse, 1976). They have observed
pollutants as the major cause for the incidence of tumors in fish. However from
the present study, although the environment was found to be highly polluted,
a definite conclusion about the causative factor cannot be drawn.
The biopsy of the tumor shows the distribution of tumor cell pegs, focal areas
of haemorrhage and a reddish hue to the presence of reddish pigment granules.
The morphological characters of the tumor cell and the lesion in the red pigmented
area of the skin suggest, the lesion as erythrophoroma. This report of erythrophoroma
is similar to that reported in the ornamental carp Cyprinus carpio (Murchelano
and Edwards, 1981).They have also reported the occurrence of red colored
pigment and the presence of giant cells,fusiform spindle shaped and stellate
cells which are arranged in parallel arrays.
Deformity: The mechanisms responsible for vertebral damage can be catagorized
into two major factors, namely alterations of a structurally critical biological
process or acute muscular contraction (Arvind, 2002).
Causative agents acting by the first category include hereditary factors, defective
embryonic development induced by high water temperature or low dissolved oxygen,
radiation, dietary vitamin deficiencies (Vit.C and B12) and toxic
substances (Akiyama et al., 1986; Grace,
2007; Bernet et al., 1999; Ghittino,
1975; Kraybill, 1976; Koyama,
1996; Newsome and Piron, 1982; Nigrelli
et al., 1965). Factors that could damage vertebrae by causing acute
muscular contraction include parasitic infection, electrical current and toxic
substances. A good many number of literature on the deformities of fish have
been produced by several previous workers. Increased incidence of deformity
to the lead content of the diet was also reported Mayer et
al. (1977).There are also reports showing that lead caused spinal deformities
by interfering with the metabolism of tryptophan. Some of the other important
causative factors for the vertebral abnormalities are defects on the embryonic
stage of development and mechanical injury to the fish (Baumann
and Hamilton, 1984).
CONCLUSION
In the present study a disposition of the vertebrae was observed in the tail
region. The reason attributed for the bend in the tail region was due to an
old traumatic injury leading to the destruction of the vertebrae leading to
a bend in the caudal region.
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