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Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Mar 2024The present study is the first to analyse the parasite fauna of sole , dab , hake , whiting , and plaice in the Pomeranian Bay, as well as saithe from the Szczecin...
The present study is the first to analyse the parasite fauna of sole , dab , hake , whiting , and plaice in the Pomeranian Bay, as well as saithe from the Szczecin Lagoon (Poland). The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of parasites in migrating and rare fish in the Pomeranian Bay and the Szczecin Lagoon and to determine the composition of the diet of these fish. The fish for analysis were obtained in the years 2010-2019. The typical marine nematode ) , rarely recorded in Poland, was found, in addition to the following parasites: , , sp., () , , , , , , and . Because the fish species analysed in the study are not typically present in the Baltic (with the exception of plaice), and because we do not know how long they feed while they are in the Baltic, we cannot be certain which parasites they acquired in the water bodies analysed in the study and which were introduced during the migration of fish. Although these fish are outside of their normal geographic range (except for plaice), in the new environment, there were enough suitable intermediate hosts for the parasites of these fish to complete their life cycle and survive.
PubMed: 38612268
DOI: 10.3390/ani14071029 -
Parasitology International Dec 2023Species of the genus Pseudoterranova, infect kogiid cetaceans and pinnipeds. However, there is mounting molecular evidence that those from cetaceans and pinnipeds are...
Resurrection of genus Phocanema Myers, 1959, as a genus independent from Pseudoterranova Mozgovoĭ, 1953, for nematode species (Anisakidae) parasitic in pinnipeds and cetaceans, respectively.
Species of the genus Pseudoterranova, infect kogiid cetaceans and pinnipeds. However, there is mounting molecular evidence that those from cetaceans and pinnipeds are not congeneric. Here, we provide further evidence of the non-monophyly of members of Pseudoterranova from phylogenetic analyses of the conserved nuclear LSU rDNA gene, entire ITS rDNA region and mtDNA cox2 gene, and identify morphological characters that may be used to distinguish the members of the two clades. We propose the resurrection of the genus Phocanema, with Ph. decipiens (sensu stricto) as the type species, to encompass Ph. decipiens, Ph. azarasi, Ph. bulbosa, Ph. cattani and Ph. krabbei, all parasites of pinnipeds. We propose to restrict the conception of genus Pseudoterranova, which now harbours two species infecting kogiid whales; Ps. kogiae (type species) and Ps. ceticola. Members of the genera Phocanema and Pseudoterranova differ by the shape and orientation of the lips, relative tail lengths, adult size, type of final host (pinniped vs. cetacean) and phylogenetic placement based on nuclear rDNA and mtDNA cox2 sequences.
Topics: Animals; Caniformia; Parasites; Phylogeny; Cyclooxygenase 2; Ascaridoidea; DNA, Ribosomal; Whales; DNA, Mitochondrial
PubMed: 37573003
DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2023.102794 -
Folia Parasitologica May 2023Evolutionary and ecological processes affecting the interactions between hosts and parasites in the aquatic environment are at display in the Baltic Sea, a young and...
Evolutionary and ecological processes affecting the interactions between hosts and parasites in the aquatic environment are at display in the Baltic Sea, a young and ecologically unstable marine ecosystem, where fluctuating abiotic and biotic factors affect the parasitofauna in fish. The dynamic infections of Baltic cod, a subpopulation of the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua Linnaeus), with third stage anisakid nematode larvae of Pseudoterranova decipiens (Krabbe, 1878) and Contracaecum osculatum (Rudolphi, 1802) have increased following a significant increase of the Baltic grey seal Halichoerus grypus (Fabricius) population in the region. Cod serves as a paratenic host and marine mammals, pinnipeds, are definitive hosts releasing parasite eggs, with faeces, to the marine environment, where embryonation and hatching of the third stage larva take place. The parasite has no obligate intermediate hosts, but various invertebrates, smaller fish and cod act as paratenic hosts transmitting the infection to the seal. Contracaecum osculatum has an impact on the physiological performance of the cod, which optimises transmission of the larva from fish to seal. Thus, a muscle mass decrease of nearly 50% may result from heavy C. osculatum infections, probably amplified by a restricted food availability. The muscle atrophy is likely to reduce the escape reactions of the fish when meeting a foraging seal. In certain regions, where fish and seals are restricted in their migration patterns, such as the semi-enclosed Baltic Sea, the predation may contribute to a severe cod stock depletion. The parasites are zoonotic and represent a human health risk, when consumers ingest insufficiently heat- or freeze-treated infected products. Marked infections of the cod were previously reported during periods with elevated seal populations (late 19th and middle 20th century) and various scenarios for management of risk factors are evaluated in an evolutionary context.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Parasites; Ecosystem; Fishes; Seals, Earless; Larva; Ascaridoidea; Gadus morhua; Fish Diseases
PubMed: 37265200
DOI: 10.14411/fp.2023.011 -
Parasitology Dec 2022Northeast Arctic cod, saithe and haddock are among the most important fisheries resources in Europe, largely shipped to various continental markets. The present study...
Anisakid parasites (Nematoda: Anisakidae) in 3 commercially important gadid fish species from the southern Barents Sea, with emphasis on key infection drivers and spatial distribution within the hosts.
Northeast Arctic cod, saithe and haddock are among the most important fisheries resources in Europe, largely shipped to various continental markets. The present study aimed to map the presence and distribution of larvae of parasitic nematodes in the Anisakidae family which are of socioeconomic and public health concern. Fishes were sourced from commercial catches during winter or spring in the southern Barents Sea. Samples of fish were inspected for nematodes using the UV-press method while anisakid species identification relied on sequencing of the mtDNA gene. (s.s.) was the most prevalent and abundant anisakid recorded, occurring at high infection levels in the viscera and flesh of cod and saithe, while being less abundant in haddock. (s.l.) larvae, not found in the fish flesh, showed moderate-to-high prevalence in saithe, haddock and cod, respectively. Most spp. larvae occurred at low-to-moderate prevalence, and low abundance, in the viscera () and flesh ( (s.s.) and ) of cod, only 2 (s.s.) appeared in the flesh of saithe. Body length was the single most important host-related factor to predict overall abundance of anisakid larvae in the fish species. The spatial distribution of larvae in the fish flesh showed much higher abundances in the belly flaps than in the dorsal fillet parts. Trimming of the flesh by removing the belly flaps would reduce larval presence in the fillets of these gadid fish species by 86–91%.
Topics: Animals; Parasites; Fish Diseases; Ascaridoidea; Anisakis; Fishes; Larva; Gadiformes; Anisakiasis
PubMed: 36321524
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182022001305 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Jun 2022Human Pseudoterranova decipiens larval infections were diagnosed by molecular analysis of mitochondrial cox1 and nd1 genes in 12 health check-up patients in South Korea...
Human Pseudoterranova decipiens larval infections were diagnosed by molecular analysis of mitochondrial cox1 and nd1 genes in 12 health check-up patients in South Korea during 2002-2020. Based on high genetic identity (99.3%-100% for cox1 and 96.7%-98.0% for nd1), we identified all 12 larvae as P. decipiens sensu stricto.
Topics: Animals; Anisakiasis; Anisakis; Ascaridoidea; Humans; Larva; Republic of Korea
PubMed: 35608950
DOI: 10.3201/eid2806.212483 -
Parasitology Jul 2022In the Anisakidae family, there are nematodes, most of which are parasitic for important commercial fish species. Both public health risks and socio-economic problems...
In the Anisakidae family, there are nematodes, most of which are parasitic for important commercial fish species. Both public health risks and socio-economic problems are attributed to these parasites. Despite these concerns, knowledge of the metabolism of these parasites remains unknown. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to investigate the receptors of drugs and oxidative metabolic status of two Anisakidae species, (s. s.) and (s. s.), under the influence of anthelminthic drugs, ivermectin (IVM) and pyrantel (PYR), at different concentrations: 1.56, 3.125 and 6.25 g mL of culture medium for 3, 6, 9, 12 and 72 h. The mRNA expressions of the -aminobutyric acid receptor, acetylcholine receptor subunits, adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporters and antioxidative enzymes were determined. The total antioxidant capacity and glutathione -transferase activity were also examined. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first time that IVM and PYR have been tested against these parasitic nematodes.
Topics: Animals; Ascaridoidea; Fish Diseases; Fishes
PubMed: 35443901
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182022000543 -
Scientific Reports Mar 2022The family Anisakidae, mainly represented by Anisakis simplex s.l. and Pseudoterranova decipiens, encompasses zoonotic nematodes infecting many marine fish. Both are...
The family Anisakidae, mainly represented by Anisakis simplex s.l. and Pseudoterranova decipiens, encompasses zoonotic nematodes infecting many marine fish. Both are responsible for gastrointestinal disease in humans after ingestion of a live larva by consumption of undercooked fish, and, in the case of A. simplex, an allergic reaction may occur after consuming or even handling infected fish. Due to its phylogenetic relatedness with A. simplex, few studies investigated the allergenic potential of P. decipiens, yet none of them focused on its excretory/secretory (E/S) proteins that easily get missed when working solely on extracts from crushed nematodes. Moreover, these E/S allergens remain behind even when the larva has been removed during fish quality processing. Therefore, the aim was to investigate if Anisakis-like allergens could also be detected in both crushed and E/S P. decipiens protein extract using targeted mass spectrometry analysis and immunological methods. The results confirmed that at least five A. simplex allergens have homologous proteins in P. decipiens; a result that emphasizes the importance of also including E/S protein extracts in proteomic studies. Not only A. simplex, but also P. decipiens should therefore be considered a potential source of allergens that could lead to hypersensitivity reactions in humans.
Topics: Allergens; Animals; Anisakis; Ascaridoidea; Fishes; Hypersensitivity; Immunoassay; Larva; Phylogeny; Proteomics
PubMed: 35260766
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08113-3 -
Acta Parasitologica Mar 2022Studies of parasite communities and patterns in the Antarctic are an important knowledge base with the potential to track shifts in ecological relations and study the...
BACKGROUND
Studies of parasite communities and patterns in the Antarctic are an important knowledge base with the potential to track shifts in ecological relations and study the effects of climate change on host-parasite systems. Endemic Nototheniinae is the dominant fish group found in Antarctic marine habitats. Through their intermediate position within the food web, Nototheniinae link lower to higher trophic levels and thereby also form an important component of parasite life cycles. The study was set out to gain insight into the parasite fauna of Nototheniops larseni, N. nudifrons and Lepidonotothen squamifrons (Nototheniinae) from Elephant Island (Antarctica).
METHODS
Sampling was conducted at three locations around Elephant Island during the ANT-XXVIII/4 expedition of the research vessel Polarstern. The parasite fauna of three Nototheniine species was analysed, and findings were compared to previous parasitological and ecological research collated from a literature review.
RESULTS
All host species shared the parasites Neolebouria antarctica (Digenea), Corynosoma bullosum (Acanthocephala) and Pseudoterranova decipiens E (Nematoda). Other parasite taxa were exclusive to one host species in this study. Nototheniops nudifrons was infected by Ascarophis nototheniae (Nematoda), occasional infections of N. larseni with Echinorhynchus petrotschenkoi (Acanthocephala) and L. squamifrons with Elytrophalloides oatesi (Digenea) and larval tetraphyllidean Cestoda were detected.
CONCLUSION
All examined fish species' parasites were predominantly euryxenous regarding their fish hosts. The infection of Lepidonotothen squamifrons with Lepidapedon garrardi (Digenea) and Nototheniops larseni with Echinorhynchus petrotschenkoi represent new host records. Despite the challenges and limited opportunities for fishing in remote areas, future studies should continue sampling on a more regular basis and include a larger number of fish species and sampling sites within different habitats.
Topics: Animals; Antarctic Regions; Ascaridoidea; Fish Diseases; Host-Parasite Interactions; Parasites; Perciformes; Trematoda
PubMed: 34275092
DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00455-8 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Dec 2020Nematodes 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,... (Review)
Review
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: , . , , , . , . and . . 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.
PubMed: 33322260
DOI: 10.3390/ani10122374 -
Acta Parasitologica Mar 2021Endoparasitic nematodes of six harbour porpoises Phocoena phocoena and four grey seals Halichoerus grypus, stranded at the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea in Germany in...
PURPOSE
Endoparasitic nematodes of six harbour porpoises Phocoena phocoena and four grey seals Halichoerus grypus, stranded at the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea in Germany in winter 2019, were analysed in order to identify nematode parasites and to compare with recent studies from the same area.
METHODS
Endoparasitic nematodes were identified by using both morphological and molecular characters. The successfully obtained sequences of the rDNA marker regions ITS-1, 5.8S, ITS-2 from 29 anisakid and the rDNA marker region ITS-2 of 11 pseudalid nematodes were amplified.
RESULTS
Analyses revealed the presence of three parasite species, the anisakid nematode Contracaecum osculatum from grey seals and the pseudalid nematodes Pseudalius inflexus and Stenurus minor from the harbour porpoises. Other anisakid nematodes regularly occurring in the Baltic Sea, e.g. Anisakis simplex or Pseudoterranova decipiens, were not found.
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of 100% and a severe parasite load in grey seals demonstrated a very high C. osculatum infection of Baltic Sea fish as their regular prey. Prevalence of 33% for parasites in harbour porpoises and minor infection rates, combined with a distinct lack of anisakid nematodes, are typical for the current situation of the porpoise parasite fauna in the Baltic Sea. Invasive parasite species as possible indicators for climate change could not be detected.
Topics: Animals; Anisakis; Ascaridoidea; Parasites; Phocoena; Seals, Earless
PubMed: 32642980
DOI: 10.1007/s11686-020-00246-7