Morphological and molecular diagnosis of Pseudoterranova decipiens (sensu stricto) (Anisakidae) in imported cod sold in Brazil

The first case of Spiroxys contortus in European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) in the wild in Poland

During standard parasitological dissection of 4 individuals of European pond turtle (E. orbicularis) (Linneaus, 1758) one nematode was found. In a morphological examination the parasite was identified as Spiroxys contortus (Rudolphi, 1819) and confirmed by DNA analysis based on sequencing of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene. The partial 18S rDNA gene was deposited to NCBI GenBank with the accession number MN629917. This is the first molecular evidence of S. contortus in E. orbicularis from wild from Poland. The analyzed sample genotype sequence shows 100% similarity to the reference specimen from Argentina.

Genera and Species of the Anisakidae Family and Their Geographical Distribution

Simple Summary

The parasites of the Anisakidae family infest mainly marine mammals; however, they have the ability to infest paratenic hosts such as mollusks, small crustaceans and fish. The consumption of meat from animals of aquatic origin favors the acquisition of the disease known as Anisakiasis or Anisakidosis, depending on the species of the infecting parasite. Currently, the identification of the members of this family is carried out through the use of molecular tests, which brings about the generation of new information. The purpose of this review was to identify the genus and species of the Anisakidae family by reviewing scientific papers that used molecular tests to confirm the genus and species. The adaptability of the Anisakidae family to multiple hosts and environmental conditions allows it to have a worldwide distribution. As it is a zoonotic agent and causes non-specific clinical symptoms, it is important to know about the different members of the Anisakidae family, as well as the hosts where they have been collected.

Abstract

Nematodes of the Anisakidae family have the ability to infest a wide variety of aquatic hosts during the development of their larval stages, mainly marine mammals, aquatic birds, such as pelicans, and freshwater fish, such crucian carp, these being the hosts where the life cycle is completed. The participation of intermediate hosts such as cephalopods, shrimp, crustaceans and marine fish, is an important part of this cycle. Due to morphological changes and updates to the genetic information of the different members of the family, the purpose of this review was to carry out a bibliographic search of the genus and species of the Anisakidae family identified by molecular tests, as well as the geographical area in which they were collected. The Anisakidae family is made up of eight different parasitic genera and 46 different species. Those of clinical importance to human health are highlighted: Anisakis pegreffi, A. simplexsensu stricto, Contracaecumosculatum, Pseudoterranova azarazi, P. cattani, P. decipiens and P. krabbei. The geographical distribution of these genera and species is located mainly in the European continent, Asia and South America, as well as in North and Central America and Australia. Based on the information collected from the Anisakidae family, it was determined that the geographical distribution is affected by different environmental factors, the host and the ability of the parasite itself to adapt. Its ability to adapt to the human organism has led to it being considered as a zoonotic agent. The disease in humans manifests nonspecifically, however the consumption of raw or semi-raw seafood is crucial information to link the presentation of the parasite with the disease. The use of morphological and molecular tests is of utmost importance for the correct diagnosis of the genus and species of the Anisakidae family.

Occurrence and molecular identification of Anisakis larval type 1 (Nematoda: Anisakidae) in marketed fish in Egypt

Anisakidosis is a zoonotic infection caused by members of the family Anisakidae. The presence of anisakid larvae in fish poses risk for humans and dissuade consumers from purchasing infected products. Although fish constitute important component of Egyptian diet, the prevalence of anisakid larvae in marketed fish in Egypt is not well described. Furthermore, the species of anisakid larvae is not defined in most of the available studies due to the over reliance on morphological analyses. The aim of the current work was to assess the prevalence and intensity of anisakid larvae in three common marketed fish in Egypt (Atlantic herring, Mediterranean horse mackerel and Atlantic mackerel) and to determine the species of the isolated larvae using morphological and molecular methods. Light and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses revealed the details of the isolated larvae. However, partial sequencing of cytochrome oxidase subunite-1 (mt cox1) gene revealed that all larvae isolated from Atlantic herring and Mediterranean horse mackerel belonged to Anisakis simplex sensu stricto with prevalence of 87.1% and 83.3%, respectively, whereas Atlantic mackerel harbored Anisakis typica with a prevalence of 42.8%. The Mediterranean horse mackerel demonstrated the highest larval mean intensity (n = 20 larvae/infected fish). This study highlights the importance of these fish as potential reservoirs for human anisakiasis in Egypt and possibly in other coastal countries.