Molecular Epidemiology of Anisakis spp. in Wedge Sole, Dicologlossa cuneata (Moreau, 1881), from Fishmarkets in Granada (Southern Spain), Caught in Two Adjacent NE and CE Atlantic Areas

The presence of third stage larvae (L3) of Anisakis spp. in wedge sole, Dicologlossa cuneata (Moreau, 1881), purchased in fishmarkets in the city of Granada (Andalusia, southern Spain) was assessed. The wedge sole were caught in two FAO zones: area 27.IXa NE Atlantic (SW Spain coast) and area 34.1.11 CE Atlantic (NW Morocco coast). Only Anisakis larvae, type I, were detected in the largest fish (>20 cm) from the CE Atlantic. These were molecularly identified as A. simplex s.s. The prevalence (P) of Anisakis in this area was 12.5% and the mean intensity (MI) was 1. The presence of Hysterothylacium spp. larvae was also detected in the fish from both areas, with the prevalence being approximately double in the CE Atlantic area (12.5 vs. 5.7). A comparison between the Anisakis-infected and non-infected fish from this area showed that the former were significantly longer than the latter (p < 0.01). These results show that Anisakis parasitization of wedge sole sold in the markets of the city of Granada is of low prevalence and intensity (P = 4.5, MI = 1), especially in those from area 27.IXa (P = 0), indicating that the risk of human infection is low, particularly as this fish is traditionally prepared by deep-frying in oil in Andalusia (southern Spain).

The oil of garlic, Allium sativum L. (Amaryllidaceae), as a potential protectant against Anisakis spp. Type II (L3) (Nematoda) infection in Wistar rats

The consumption of inadequately thermally treated fish is a public health risk due to the possible propagation of Anisakis larvae. The present study demonstrated the physiological and histopathological changes that accompanied an oral inoculation of crude extracts from fresh and thermally treated Anisakis Type II (L3) in rats. Worms were isolated from a marine fish and examined and identified using light and scanning electron microscopy. The study was performed in 6 rat groups: control (I), garlic oil (GO) inoculated (II), fresh L3 inoculated (III), thermally treated L3 inoculated (IV), fresh L3 + GO inoculated (V), and a thermally treated L3 + GO inoculated (VI) groups. Rats inoculated with fresh and thermally treated L3 showed abnormal liver and kidney functions associated with the destruction of normal architecture. GO produced a protective effect in rat groups inoculated with L3 extracts + GO via the amelioration of liver and kidney functions, which was confirmed by the marked normal structure on histology. Cooking of L3-infected fish induced severe alterations compared to uncooked fish. The administration of garlic before and after fish eating is recommended to avoid the dangerous effect of anisakids, even if they are cooked.

Anisakis spp. Larvae in Deboned, in-Oil Fillets Made of Anchovies (Engraulis encrasicolus) and Sardines (Sardina pilchardus) Sold in EU Retailers

Sardina pilchardus and Engraulis encrasicolus are considered the principal target species for commercial fishing in Europe and are widely consumed as semipreserved products. Although they are considered shelf-stable products, if treatment is not correctly applied, their consumption may represent a public health risk in regard to anisakiasis and allergic reactions. Little is known about the prevalence of Anisakis spp. in ripened products. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of Anisakis spp. larvae in deboned, in-oil anchovy and sardine fillets marketed in the EU to assess the influence of processing techniques on the prevalence of larvae. Ninety semipreserved anchovy and sardine products deriving from the Mediterranean Sea or Atlantic Ocean were collected from different EU retailers and examined using chloropeptic digestion to evaluate the presence of larvae and identify them. Thirty nonviable Anisakid larvae—A. pegreffii (30%) and A. simplex (70%)—were found. The frequency of larvae was higher in anchovies (28.8%). The low frequency of parasites found proved that processing technologies can influence the presence of larvae in final products, but it is important that visual inspection is performed only by trained people. The sources of raw materials should be considered in the production flow chart.

IDENTIFICACIÓN MOLECULAR Y CARACTERIZACIÓN MORFOLÓGICA DE LARVAS L3 DE ANISAKIS SPP. (NEMATODA: ANISAKIDAE) EN SCOMBER COLIAS GMELIN, 1789 (PERCIFORMES: SCOMBRIDAE) DEL NORTE DE ARGENTINA

Se realizó la identificación molecular de larvas de nemátodos en el tercer estadío del Scomber colias Gmelin, 1789 recogidos en la costa norte de Argentina, y la caracterización morfológica y morfométrica de estos parásitos. Los órganos internos y los músculos de 31 muestras de S. colias fueron analizadas. La identificación genética de larvas se realizó por PCR-RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction - Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) mediante la amplificación de un fragmento de ADN nuclear (ITS1, ITS2 y 5,8S) y el escote con enzimas de restricción específicas (HinfI, HhaI) para la identificación. Para el análisis morfológico y morfométrico, los especímenes se observaron en el microscopio trinocular y en microscopía electrónica de barrido. Alrededor de 369 nematodos fueron recolectados en el 68% de los peces analizados. Todos los parásitos se encontraron en los órganos internos del huésped, y no se detectó formas larvarias en los músculos. La identificación molecular produjo cuatro diferentes patrones Anisakis pegreffii Campana-Rouget & Biocca, 1955; Anisakis typica (Diesing, 1860); un híbrido de Anisakis spp; y otras larvas que no muestran patrones moleculares correspondientes a Anisakis. Se observaron diferencias morfológicas y morfométricas entre las larvas de A. pegreffii y A. typica. Excepto el diente larvario, todas las estructuras de A. pegreffii tenían dimensiones mucho mayores que los encontrados en A. typica. Además, el extremo posterior de A. pegreffii se estrecha más lentamente y el mucrón acompaña esta conicidad. En A. typica el extremo posterior es más robusto y el mucrón es muy afilado. Esta es la primera contribución a la identificación molecular con la caracterización morfológica de Anisakis spp. en S. colias de Argentina.