Effect of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on the giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii--histopathological and electron microscopic study
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026
Modeling Persistent Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection in Wounded Zebrafish Larvae
Published on: June 13, 2025
1PG (Aquaculture) and Research Department of Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology, Government Arts College, Nandanam, Chennai-600 035, India.
Abstract:
The giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii was injected with an inoculum containing LD, 96 hr dose of 10' Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 1688) to determine the histopathological effects in vivo. The comparison of tissues of both the control and the bacterial endotoxin treated prawns after 96 hr revealed significant degenerative changes in treated prawns. Both light microscopic and electron microscopic observations revealed the infiltration of the tissues of Pseudomonas sp in the muscular and hepatopancreatic tissues of prawn. The muscular tissue changes in the myofibrillar arrangement with blockage at the gap junctions and necrotic lesions were observed. The hepatopancreatic cells were vacuolated with hypertrophied nucleus. Atrophy of hepatopancreatic tubules was conspicuous. The pathogenicity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is attributed to its infiltration and multiplication inside the tissues and the consequent release of extra-cellular enzymes for its metabolism. The degeneration of host tissues is also attributed to the latter.
Insights
Giant freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed significant tissue damage. Bacterial infiltration and enzyme release caused muscle and hepatopancreas degeneration.
Area of Science:
- Aquaculture
- Pathology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) aquaculture is economically important.
- Bacterial diseases pose a significant threat to prawn health and production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the histopathological effects of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in Macrobrachium rosenbergii.
- To understand the mechanisms of pathogenicity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in prawns.
Main Methods:
- Prawns were injected with a standardized dose of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 1688).
- Tissues were examined using light and electron microscopy 96 hours post-infection.
- Histopathological changes in muscular and hepatopancreatic tissues were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Significant degenerative changes were observed in bacterial endotoxin-treated prawns compared to controls.
- Pseudomonas sp. infiltrated muscular and hepatopancreatic tissues.
- Muscle tissue showed myofibrillar disruption, gap junction blockage, and necrotic lesions.
- Hepatopancreatic cells exhibited vacuolation, hypertrophied nuclei, and tubule atrophy.
Conclusions:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes significant histopathological damage in Macrobrachium rosenbergii.
- Bacterial infiltration, multiplication, and extracellular enzyme release contribute to prawn tissue degeneration.
- These findings highlight the pathogenic potential of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in prawn aquaculture.
