Molecular Identification of Zoonotic Parasites of the Genus Anisakis (Nematoda: Anisakidae) from Fish of the Southeastern Pacific Ocean (Off Peru Coast).

Renato Aco Alburqueque,Marialetizia Palomba,Mario Santoro,Simonetta Mattiucci

doi:10.3390/pathogens9110910

Renato Aco Alburqueque, Marialetizia Palomba + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9110910

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Abstract

The study aims to perform, for the first time, the molecular identification of anisakid larvae in commercial fish from the Southeastern Pacific Ocean off the Peru coast, and to provide data on their infection level by fishing ground, fish host, and site of infection. Fish specimens (N = 348) from the northern and the central coast of Peru were examined for parasites. The fish fillets were examined by the UV-press method. Anisakis spp. larvae (N = 305) were identified by mtDNA cox2 sequences analysis and by the ARMS-PCR of the locus nas10 nDNA. Two hundred and eighty-eight Anisakis Type I larvae corresponded to Anisakis pegreffii, whereas 17 Anisakis Type II larvae clustered in a phylogenetic lineage distinct from Anisakis physeteris deposited in GenBank, and corresponding to a phylogenetic lineage indicated as Anisakis sp. 2, previously detected in fish from both Pacific and Atlantic waters. Anisakis pegreffii was found to infect both the flesh and viscera, while Anisakis sp. 2 occurred only in the viscera. The average parasitic burden with A. pegreffii in the examined fish species from the two fishing grounds was significantly higher than that observed with Anisakis sp. 2. The results obtained contribute to improve the knowledge on the distribution and occurrence of Anisakis species in Southeastern Pacific waters and their implications in seafood safety for the local human populations.

Highlights

Industrial fishery represents an important economic sector in Peru
In Peru, the industrial fishery has been traditionally based on marine pelagic species, mainly constituted by anchovy (Engraulis ringens), as well as in other fish species such as jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi), chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus), and Pacific bonito (Sarda chilensis) [1]
The marine ecosystem off the Peruvian coast represents an important area of exploitable fish in the musculature of the jack mackerel (P = 30, A = 0.50) than that observed in the chub mackerel biomass of the Southeastern Pacific Ocean region

Summary

Introduction

With an estimated production of around 7.4 million tons per year, it is a relevant food resource, and offers employment for the coastal populations of the Southeastern Pacific Ocean [1]. (Coryphaena hippurus), palm ruff (Seriolella violacea), and Pacific pomfret (Brama japonica) [1]. These last fish species are well distributed along the Peruvian coast, and they represent the most highly consumed seafood by local populations [2]. In these terms, the higher demand for seafood products, more often consumed even raw, raise the concern about seafood safety and quality [3]. The zoonotic implications associated with these parasites are a major concern, and their presence in seafood products, even when worms are dead, may significantly lower their aesthetic appeal [4,5]

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