Full Length Research Paper

Aeromonas hydrophila disturbs water and electrolyte transport in Mugil cephalus L. intestine

F. Khemiss¹*, R. Massoudi², S. Ahmadi², S. Ghoul-Mazgar³, S. Safta³, A. A. Moshtaghie⁴ and D. Saidane²

¹Laboratory of Physiology, Dental Faculty, Monastir, Tunisia.

²Laboratory of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Monastir, Tunisia.

³Laboratory of Histology-Embryology, Dental Faculty, Monastir, Tunisia.

⁴School of Pharmacy, Medical Sciences University, Isfahan, Iran.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: khfathia2002@yahoo.fr. Tel: 216 73 500.390. Fax: 216 73 461 150.

Accepted 30 November, 2007

Fish diseases create a menace to aquaculture farms. They provoke disastrous economic losses and sanitary risks for the consumer. The present study aims to investigate the effect of the bacteria, Aeromonas hydrophila on water and electrolyte (Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^-, HCO₃^-) flux of Mugil cephalus (L, 1758) intestine. Anterior, middle and distal gut segments of M. cephalus (L) intestine were used in an in vitro model; Everted Gut Sac (EGS). The sacs were exposed to bacteria suspension (10⁸ cells/ ml) at 25°C for 2 h. Our results showed a significant reduction of water absorption at the anterior and the mid intestine (P< 0.05), and a significant increase of K⁺ secretion only at the anterior intestine (P < 0.01). However, HCO₃^- secretion increase was significant at the anterior and the mid intestine (P < 0.05). Paradoxically, an increased absorption of Na⁺, and Cl^- was recorded at the mid (P < 0.01) and at the distal gut segments (P < 0.05). Histological studies were assessed by light microscopy. EGS exposed to Ringer solution (12%, pH 8.5) revealed the presence of intact intestinal tract. However, infected EGS showed intestinal damages characterized by epithelium lesions, detachment of degenerate enterocytes with voluminous and spherical shape, disappearance of enterocyte brush border and lesions at cellular junction. It can be concluded that A. hydrophila resulted in a disturbance of hydroelectrolytic flux and alterations of M. cephalus intestinal tract. The most serious damage was noted at the anterior segment.

Key words: Everted Gut Sac, Mugil cephalus, Aeromonas hydrophila, water flux, electrolyte flux.