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. 2011 Feb;18(1):79-84.
doi: 10.1051/parasite/2011181079.

High prevalence of buccal ulcerations in largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides (Centrarchidae) from Michigan inland lakes associated with Myzobdella lugubris Leidy 1851 (Annelida: Hirudinea)

M Faisal  1 , C Schulz, A Eissa, G Whelan
Affiliations

High prevalence of buccal ulcerations in largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides (Centrarchidae) from Michigan inland lakes associated with Myzobdella lugubris Leidy 1851 (Annelida: Hirudinea)

M Faisal et al. Parasite. 2011 Feb.

Abstract
in English, French

Widespread mouth ulcerations were observed in largemouth bass collected from eight inland lakes in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan during the summer months of 2002 and 2003. These ulcerations were associated with, and most likely caused by, leech parasitism. Through the use of morphological dichotomous keys, it was determined that all leeches collected are of one species: Myzobdella lugubris. Among the eight lakes examined, Lake Orion and Devils Lake had the highest prevalence of leech parasitism (34% and 29%, respectively) and mouth ulcerations (53% and 68%, respectively). Statistical analyses demonstrated that leech and ulcer prevalence varied significantly from one lake to the other. Additionally, it was determined that the relationship between the prevalence of ulcers and the prevalence of leech attachment is significant, indicating that leech parasitism is most likely the cause of ulceration. The ulcers exhibited deep hemorrhagic centers and raised irregular edges. Affected areas lost their epithelial lining and submucosa, with masses of bacteria colonizing the damaged tissues. Since largemouth bass is a popular global sportfish and critical to the food web of inland lakes, there are concerns that the presence of leeches, damaged buccal mucosa, and general unsightliness may negatively affect this important sportfishery.

La prévalence des ulcérations buccales du black-bass à grande bouche a été déterminée dans huit lacs intérieurs de la péninsule inférieure du Michigan pendant les mois d’été de 2002 et de 2003. Ces ulcérations étaient associées à un parasitisme par des sangsues. Par l’utilisation de clés dichotomiques morphologiques, toutes les sangsues récoltées ont été identifiées comme étant de l’espèce Myzobdella lugubris. C’est dans les lacs Orion et Devils que les plus hautes prévalences du parasitisme (34 % et 29 %) et des ulcérations buccales (53 % et 68 %) ont été observées. Les prévalences des sangsues et des ulcères buccaux variaient significativement d’un lac à l’autre. De plus, les prévalences des lésions buccales et du parasitisme étaient significativement liées, suggérant ainsi le rôle de la présence de sangsues dans la survenue des lésions buccales. Les ulcères se présentaient sous la forme d’une lésion centrale profonde et hémorragique avec des bords surélevés. L’épithélium et la sous-muqueuse des zones affectées avaient disparu et les tissus endommagés étaient colonisés par de nombreuses bactéries. Le black-bass à grande bouche est un poisson d’intérêt en pêche récréative, et il a un rôle majeur dans le réseau trophique des lacs intérieurs du Michigan. La présence des sangsues et de lésions buccales disgracieuses pourraient affecter négativement l’image et la santé de ce poisson prisé par les pêcheurs.

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Figures

Fig 1.
Fig 1.
Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were collected from eight collection sites in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan between July 2002 and September 2003.
Fig 2.
Fig 2.
A specimen of Myzobdella lugubris compressed and stained with Mayer’s hematoxylin.
Fig 3.
Fig 3.
Myzobdella lugubris. (A) burrowing into the buccal mucosa of a largemouth bass (arrow) from Orion Lake; (B) ulcerations and leeches (arrows) in the roof of the mouth of a largemouth bass from Orion Lake; (C) severe ulceration associated with a leech infestation in the roof of the mouth of a largemouth bass from Devils Lake with suppurative inflammation and subsequent pus formation (arrow); and (D) M. lugubris (arrow) attached to the tongue of a largemouth bass from Devils Lake.
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