Assessment of Roundworm (Phylum Nematoda) Infection in Organs of Wild-caught Achatina achatina from Two Districts of Ghana.

Abstract

The growth of Achatina achatina is influenced by several factors that include parasitic infections. This study investigated parasitic infection in selected organs of the adult Achatina achatina caught in the wild at two districts in Ghana. Using dissecting and microscopic techniques, relatively high proportions of the lungs (36.7%), kidneys (30.0%) and spermoviducts (90.0%) of A. achatina from Birim Central Municipal District examined were found to be infected with roundworms. The mean parasite intensity recorded for the spermoviduct (14.00) significantly differed from that of the kidneys 3.56 (bootstrap t = -5.09; p = 0.0001) and the lungs 5.18 (bootstrap t = -4.01; p = 0.0005). However, relatively lower proportions of lungs (26.7%), kidneys (13.3%), spermoviducts (36.7%) as well as parasite intensities in the respective organs of snails from the Awutu Senya District were observed. The results demonstrated vulnerability of A. achatina to roundworm infection in several organs, which may have adverse effects on their normal physiological processes and growth. It is imperative to develop control measures against these infections to enhance their growth potentials, feed conversion ratios, nutritional and economic value, while reducing production costs in reared A. achatina.