Histopathology of microsporidian infection in white prawn, Penaeus merguiensis de Man, 1888.

Abstract

Different stages of the white prawn, Penaeus merguiensis de Man, were examined for microsporidian infection. The parasite was found only in adult female prawns exhibiting white instead of the normal olive-green ovaries. Non-germinal tissues were not infected. Spores found in the digestive tract, abdominal muscles, hepatopancreas, heart and gills were extracellular in location and did not have any histopathologic effect on these organs.