Blood worm disease is a parasitic infection caused by blood cluster parasites, specifically sporeworms belonging to the genus *Hepatocystis* and the family *Hepatocystidae*. These parasites primarily reside within the blood cells of turtles, including red blood cells, liver cells, and Kupffer cells, where they multiply and develop through various life stages.
**(A) Pathogenic Blood Worms**
According to research by Chai Jianyuan et al. (1990), six species of blood worms have been identified in crickets and turtles in China. Taking the Chinese blood tuft (*Hepatocystis sinensis*) as an example, its life cycle includes three main developmental stages:
1. **Tissue Schizonts**: These mature in the liver's Kupffer cells, appearing as oval or spherical structures measuring 17.92–18.24 μm × 14.84–15.24 μm. Each schizont produces 15–20 short rod-shaped merozoites.
2. **Deep Blood Schizonts**: Found in the erythrocytes of hepatic sinusoids, these schizonts come in X-type and Y-type forms. Both are columnar in shape, with X-type producing 14–18 wedge-shaped merozoites and Y-type generating 4–8 large rod-shaped merozoites. Female gametocytes are kidney-shaped, while male gametocytes are comma-shaped with a small tail.
3. **Peripheral Blood Schizonts**: These early-stage schizonts are broadly kidney-shaped, producing 6–12 banana-shaped merozoites. Mid- and late-stage schizonts produce fewer merozoites. Gametocytes originate from Y-type merozoites and represent the intermediate stage for the next generation.
The intermediate host of *Hepatocystis sinensis* is the soft-shelled turtle (*Trionyx sinensis*), while the final host is the cockroach. After ingesting infected blood, the parasites develop in the gill’s gastrointestinal tract, undergoing gametogenesis and sporogony. During gametogenesis, gametocytes fuse, forming zygotes that eventually lead to the production of eight sporozoites per oocyst.
**(II) Epidemic Situation**
In a study conducted by Chai Jianyuan et al. (1990), 248 Chinese sturgeons, 40 turtles, 25 yellow-edged shell turtles, and 2 flat-faced turtles were examined. Only the flat-faced turtles showed infections, although other species also had parasites. The infection rate in Chinese sturgeons was as high as 83.9%, with an intensity of 19.7% (calculated as the number of infected red blood cells per 1,000). Infections peak between May and September due to increased host activity and parasite proliferation. Although no mass mortalities have been reported, this disease could become a serious threat to turtle breeding if not properly managed.
**(C) Symptoms**
Currently, the infection intensity is relatively low, with the highest recorded at 19.7%. As a result, visible symptoms are rare. However, microscopic examination reveals that infected red blood cells are often swollen, deformed, and filled with blood worms. When schizonts rupture inside red blood cells, it leads to hemolysis and compensatory hyperplasia in peripheral blood. Leukocytes may show increased pseudopod formation, indicating heightened cellular activity.
**(D) Diagnosis**
Blood smears from infected turtles can be stained with Giemsa or hematoxylin and eosin and examined under a microscope to identify the presence of blood worms.
**(E) Prevention**
1. Regularly remove sludge from the bottom of tanks and disinfect them.
2. If fish parasites are found in turtles, they should be treated using old luffa pectin to extract the blood. Once the blood clots, it can be placed back into the pool to attract fish, which are then killed to prevent further spread.
**(F) Treatment**
No effective treatment has been studied or widely applied for this disease yet.
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