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Kaenkaew C, Chan AHE, Saralamba N, Ruangsittichai J, Chaisiri K, Charoennitiwat V, Thaenkham U. Molecular insights versus morphological traits: rethinking identification of the closely related Angiostrongylus cantonensis and Angiostrongylus malaysiensis. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:56. [PMID: 38326886 PMCID: PMC10851580 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06140-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The closely related Angiostrongylus cantonensis and Angiostrongylus malaysiensis have been reported to coexist in Thailand and share similar hosts and life cycles. Recently, in an angiostrongyliasis outbreak in Thailand, both A. cantonensis and A. malaysiensis were found in the cerebrospinal fluid of affected patients. Morphological similarities, overlapping distribution, shared hosts and habitats, and the close genetics of the two Angiostrongylus species can complicate accurate species identification. Addressing these challenges, this study aims to evaluate whether a correlation between the morphological and genetic identities of A. cantonensis and A. malaysiensis can improve species identification accuracy. METHODS Angiostrongylus spp. specimens from five zoogeographical regions in Thailand were subjected to morphological and molecular identification using the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and the nuclear internal transcribed spacer 2 region (ITS2). The morphological characters for males and females were then validated using the species identity obtained from the nuclear ITS2 region. RESULTS The results revealed that morphological misidentifications between these two closely related species are common due to overlapping morphological characters. Although certain male traits such as body length and width aided species differentiation, female traits were found to be less reliable. Furthermore, hybrid forms (8.2%) were revealed through the ITS2 results, which can further complicate morphological identification. Mito-nuclear discordance was also present in 1.9% of the Angiostrongylus specimens from Thailand, suggesting a complex historical interbreeding between the species. CONCLUSIONS Based on our findings, we suggest that nuclear ITS2 is a reliable marker for species identification of A. cantonensis and A. malaysiensis, especially in regions where both species coexist. Additionally, the scope and consequences of hybridization between the two closely related Angiostrongylus species should be further investigated in Thailand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanisara Kaenkaew
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Abigail Hui En Chan
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Naowarat Saralamba
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jiraporn Ruangsittichai
- Department of Medical Entomology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kittipong Chaisiri
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Urusa Thaenkham
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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Palomba M, Marchiori E, Tedesco P, Fioravanti M, Marcer F, Gustinelli A, Aco-Alburqueque R, Belli B, Canestrelli D, Santoro M, Cipriani P, Mattiucci S. An update and ecological perspective on certain sentinel helminth endoparasites within the Mediterranean Sea. Parasitology 2023; 150:1139-1157. [PMID: 37942726 PMCID: PMC10941224 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023000951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
The Mediterranean Sea is recognized as a marine biodiversity hotspot. This enclosed basin is facing several anthropogenic-driven threats, such as seawater warming, pollution, overfishing, bycatch, intense maritime transport and invasion by alien species. The present review focuses on the diversity and ecology of specific marine trophically transmitted helminth endoparasites (TTHs) of the Mediterranean ecosystems, aiming to elucidate their potential effectiveness as ‘sentinels’ of anthropogenic disturbances in the marine environment. The chosen TTHs comprise cestodes and nematodes sharing complex life cycles, involving organisms from coastal and marine mid/upper-trophic levels as definitive hosts. Anthropogenic disturbances directly impacting the free-living stages of the parasites and their host population demographies can significantly alter the distribution, infection levels and intraspecific genetic variability of these TTHs. Estimating these parameters in TTHs can provide valuable information to assess the stability of marine trophic food webs. Changes in the distribution of particular TTHs species can also serve as indicators of sea temperature variations in the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the bioaccumulation of pollutants. The contribution of the chosen TTHs to monitor anthropogenic-driven changes in the Mediterranean Sea, using their measurable attributes at both spatial and temporal scales, is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marialetizia Palomba
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), Tuscia University, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Erica Marchiori
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Legnaro, Padua, Italy
| | - Perla Tedesco
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marialetizia Fioravanti
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federica Marcer
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Legnaro, Padua, Italy
| | - Andrea Gustinelli
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Renato Aco-Alburqueque
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Parasitology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Beatrice Belli
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Parasitology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Canestrelli
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), Tuscia University, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Mario Santoro
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Cipriani
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Parasitology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Section of Contaminants and Biohazards, Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Nordnes, Bergen, Norway
| | - Simonetta Mattiucci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Parasitology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Roca-Geronès X, Fisa R, Montoliu I, Casadevall M, Tobella C, Bas JM, Palomba M, Mattiucci S. Genetic diversity of Contracaecum rudolphii sp. A (Nematoda: Anisakidae) parasitizing the European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii from the Spanish Mediterranean coast. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1122291. [PMID: 36816183 PMCID: PMC9932775 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1122291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Sibling species of the Contracaecum rudolphii (s.l.) complex are habitual endoparasites of cormorants of the Phalacrocoracidae family, worldwide. In Europe, the two species, C. rudolphii sp. A and C. rudolphii sp. B, have been identified. However, information regarding the occurrence and distribution of these anisakids in cormorants from Spain is scarce. In the present study, 20 specimens of the European Shag, Ph. aristotelis desmarestii, from the western Mediterranean Spanish marine coast were parasitologically analyzed for the presence of nematodes. All hosts were found parasitized with Contracaecum specimens (n = 1,517). A representative subsample was genetically identified as C. rudolphii sp. A by sequence analysis of the mtDNA cox2 gene and the ITS1 and ITS2 regions of the rDNA. This represents the first report of C. rudolphii sp. A from the Spanish Mediterranean waters. Population genetic analysis was performed including other C. rudolphii sp. A specimens from the west Sardinian and the Tyrrhenian Sea. At the intraspecific level, a significant genetic differentiation (Fst ≈ 0.08, p < 0.00001) between the metapopulation from the Spanish Mediterranean coast and that from the Sardinian waters was observed; whereas, no differentiation was found between metapopulations of the parasite from the Spanish and the Tyrrhenian Italian coast. The findings highly support the hypothesis of the adaptation of the life cycle of C. rudolphii sp. A in brackish and marine ecosystems. Furthermore, the results on the population genetics of C. rudolphii sp. A suggest the possible role of the migration routes of wintering populations of cormorants in the Mediterranean Sea in influencing the parasite genetic structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Roca-Geronès
- Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain,Section of Parasitology, Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza-University of Rome, Rome, Italy,*Correspondence: Xavier Roca-Geronès ✉
| | - Roser Fisa
- Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Montoliu
- Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Margarida Casadevall
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Carles Tobella
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Josep M. Bas
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Marialetizia Palomba
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, Tuscia University, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Simonetta Mattiucci
- Section of Parasitology, Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza-University of Rome, Rome, Italy,Simonetta Mattiucci ✉
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Aydin C, Pekmezci GZ. Molecular identification and infection levels of Anisakis species (Nematoda: Anisakidae) in the red scorpionfish Scorpaena scrofa (Scorpaenidae) from the Aegean Sea. Parasitol Int 2023; 92:102691. [DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2022.102691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Population Genetic Structure of Anisakis simplex Infecting the European Hake from North East Atlantic Fishing Grounds. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13020197. [PMID: 36670737 PMCID: PMC9854729 DOI: 10.3390/ani13020197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The European hake, one of the most commercially valuable species in ICES fishing areas, is considered an important neglected source of zoonotic risk by nematode parasites belonging to the genus Anisakis. Merluccius merluccius is, by far, the most important host of Anisakis spp. at the European fishing grounds, in terms of demographic infection values, and carries the highest parasite burden. These high parasite population densities within an individual fish host offer a chance to explore new sources of variations for the genetic structure of Anisakis spp. populations. A total of 873 Anisakis spp. third-stage larvae, originally sampled from viscera and muscular sections of hake collected at ten fishing grounds, were primarily identified using ITS rDNA region as molecular marker. After that, we used mtDNA cox2 gene to reveal the high haplotype diversity and the lack of genetic structure for A. simplex. Dominant haplotypes were shared among the different fishing areas and fish sections analyzed. Results indicate a clear connection of A. simplex from European hake along the Northern North Sea to the Portuguese coast, constituting a single genetic population but revealing a certain level of genetic sub-structuring on the Northwest coast of Scotland. This study also provides useful information to advance the understanding of parasite speciation to different fish host tissues or microenvironments.
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Caballero-Huertas M, Palomba M, Frigola-Tepe X, Muñoz M, Mattiucci S, Viñas J. Ascaridoid parasites in European sardine throughout the annual cycle: Variability in parasitic load according to host stock features. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2022; 20:1-11. [PMID: 36578301 PMCID: PMC9791428 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2022.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, a drop in the condition of the European sardine has been observed. Although several causes have been attributed to this issue, as overfishing and climate change, little is known about the link between ascaridoid nematode parasitisation and fish status. In this study, sardines were obtained from four fishing grounds along the Mediterranean (Alboran, Northern Spain, Northern Adriatic, and Aegean), and one location in the Atlantic Ocean (Southern Portugal). After analysing individual fish body condition (by direct tissue fat content measurements and condition indices), and reproductive status (by a detailed gonadal examination) throughout the entire annual cycle, ascaridoids were recognised by combining naked eye and UV-press method along flesh, viscera, and gonads. Afterwards, sequence analysis of the rDNA internal transcribed spacers region (ITS) and the mtDNA cox2 gene were used to identify and characterise the different species of ascaridoids from the fish host in the localities throughout the seasons. The main species found along different areas was Hysterothylacium aduncum, present in the Northern Adriatic (prevalence of 7.6%, mean intensity 1.700), the Atlantic (7.5%, 3.889), and the Northern Spain (3.9%, 1.600). Moreover, few individuals of Anisakis simplex (s.s.) and A. pegreffii were observed in the Atlantic (1.7% and 0.8%, respectively), and the latter species was also found in the Adriatic stock (0.8%). All ascaridoid specimens were found in viscera. Obtained results seem to indicate that in stocks with medium sizes, small variations in length are related to parasite intensity. This study highlights the importance of seasonal parasitological analyses at stock level and, especially, in capital breeders, as relationships between condition and reproduction parameters and parasitism are conditioned by seasonality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Caballero-Huertas
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology (IEA), Department of Environmental Sciences. Universitat de Girona (UdG), Campus Montilivi, 17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Marialetizia Palomba
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB). Tuscia University, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Xènia Frigola-Tepe
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology (IEA), Department of Environmental Sciences. Universitat de Girona (UdG), Campus Montilivi, 17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Marta Muñoz
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology (IEA), Department of Environmental Sciences. Universitat de Girona (UdG), Campus Montilivi, 17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Simonetta Mattiucci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Parasitology. ‘Sapienza-University of Rome’, P.le Aldo Moro, 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Jordi Viñas
- Genetic Ichthyology Laboratory (LIG), Department of Biology. Universitat de Girona (UdG), Campus Montilivi, 17003, Girona, Spain,Corresponding author.
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Cipriani P, Palomba M, Giulietti L, Marcer F, Mazzariol S, Santoro M, Alburqueque RA, Covelo P, López A, Santos MB, Pierce GJ, Brownlow A, Davison NJ, McGovern B, Frantzis A, Alexiadou P, Højgaard DP, Mikkelsen B, Paoletti M, Nascetti G, Levsen A, Mattiucci S. Distribution and genetic diversity of Anisakis spp. in cetaceans from the Northeast Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13664. [PMID: 35953527 PMCID: PMC9372146 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17710-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasite biodiversity in cetaceans represents a neglected component of the marine ecosystem. This study aimed to investigate the distribution and genetic diversity of anisakid nematodes of the genus Anisakis sampled in cetaceans from the Northeast Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. A total of 478 adults and pre-adults of Anisakis spp. was identified by a multilocus genetic approach (mtDNA cox2, EF1 α − 1 nDNA and nas 10 nDNA gene loci) from 11 cetacean species. A clear pattern of host preference was observed for Anisakis spp. at cetacean family level: A. simplex (s.s.) and A. pegreffii infected mainly delphinids; A. physeteris and A. brevispiculata were present only in physeterids, and A. ziphidarum occurred in ziphiids. The role of cetacean host populations from different waters in shaping the population genetic structure of A. simplex (s.s.), A. pegreffii and A. physeteris was investigated for the first time. Significant genetic sub-structuring was found in A. simplex (s.s.) populations of the Norwegian Sea and the North Sea compared to those of the Iberian Atlantic, as well as in A. pegreffii populations of the Adriatic and the Tyrrhenian Seas compared to those of the Iberian Atlantic waters. Substantial genetic homogeneity was detected in the Mediterranean Sea population of A. physeteris. This study highlights a strong preference by some Anisakis spp. for certain cetacean species or families. Information about anisakid biodiversity in their cetacean definitive hosts, which are apex predators of marine ecosystems, acquires particular importance for conservation measures in the context of global climate change phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Cipriani
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Parasitology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. .,Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Nordnes, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Marialetizia Palomba
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), Tuscia University, Viterbo, Italy
| | | | - Federica Marcer
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, Padova University, Padova, Italy
| | - Sandro Mazzariol
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, Padova University, Padova, Italy
| | - Mario Santoro
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Renato Aco Alburqueque
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Parasitology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Pablo Covelo
- Coordinadora para o Estudo dos Mamíferos Mariños CEMMA, Gondomar, Pontevedra, Spain
| | - Alfredo López
- Coordinadora para o Estudo dos Mamíferos Mariños CEMMA, Gondomar, Pontevedra, Spain.,Departamento de Biología & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - M Begoña Santos
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | | | - Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Marine Animal Scheme, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Nicholas J Davison
- Scottish Marine Animal Scheme, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Bjarni Mikkelsen
- Faroe Marine Research Institute (Havstovan), Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Michela Paoletti
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), Tuscia University, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Nascetti
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), Tuscia University, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Arne Levsen
- Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Nordnes, Bergen, Norway
| | - Simonetta Mattiucci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Parasitology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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