Observations on Trypanosoma granulosum Laveran et Mesnil, 1902 (Protozoa, Kinetoplastida), a blood parasite of eel, Anguilla anguilla (L.)

Abstract

The results of a comparative study on Trypanosoma granulosum Laveran et Mesnil,1902 in the peripheral blood of eel, Anguilla anguilla from two lakes in north-western Poland are presented. The following parameters were analysed: dependence of the infection parameters on the host′s age and the number of the protozoans in one drop of blood. Hitherto existing data on the morphology of the parasite have been presently supplemented. In addition, the division stages were observed, which indicates that the species can multiply within the fish. Such phenomenon has not been observed in T. granulosum in natural conditions.