Abstract
Ascocotyle (Phagicola) longa is an etiological agent of human phagicolosis. Mugilids are the second intermediate host, the first being Heleobia australis, and mugilids predatory birds and mammals are its definitive hosts. The occurrence of cysts holding A. longa metacercariae is described in mugilids with a prevalence of up to 100%. The wide geographical distribution of A. longa and its intermediate hosts coupled with the rise in the consumption of raw or poorly cooked fish may elevate the risk of human infection. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to verify the distribution pattern of cysts holding A. longa in mugilids. The tissue and organ samples of these fish were processed in a domestic blender and examined under a stereoscopic microscope to identify the cysts holding the digenetic metacercariae. Of the 24 (100%) fish samples that were analyzed, 12 of Mugil curema and 12 of Mugil liza possessed cysts holding A. longa metacercariae. Digenetic cysts were identified to be present in the gills, heart, stomach, liver, intestines, mesentery, and muscular tissues collected from M. curema and M. liza. Conclusively, in M. curema, the cysts holding A. longa metacercariae were found to be distributed randomly throughout the fish body in almost every tissue and organ that was examined.
Highlights
Short CommunicationDistribution of cysts holding Ascocotyle (Phagicola) longa metacercariae in tissues and organs of mugilid
Ascocotyle (Phagicola) longa is an etiological agent of human phagicolosis
The digenetic trematode Ascocotyle (Phagicola) longa, Ransom, 1920 (Digenea: Heterophyidae), which is the etiological agent of human phagicolosis, exhibits a complex life cycle
Summary
Distribution of cysts holding Ascocotyle (Phagicola) longa metacercariae in tissues and organs of mugilid. Distribuição de cistos contendo metacercárias de Ascocotyle (Phagicola) longa em tecidos e órgãos de mugilídeos. Juliano Santos Gueretz1* ; Maiara Boeing; Juliana Murasaki; Elizabeth Schwegler; Anderson Barbosa de Moura; Maurício Laterça Martins. Instituto Federal Catarinense – IFC Araquari, Campus Araquari, Araquari, SC, Brasil. Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência Animal, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina – UDESC, Lages, SC, Brasil. How to cite: Gueretz JS, Boeng M, Murasaki J, Schwegler E, Moura AB, Martins ML. Braz J Vet Parasitol 2021; 30(4): e011821. Braz J Vet Parasitol 2021; 30(4): e011821. https://doi.org/10.1590/
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