Occurrence and molecular characterization of zoonotic Anisakis simplex sensu stricto and Anisakis pegreffii larvae in retail‐marketed fish

Abstract

AbstractThe study aimed at investigating the occurrence and molecular characterization of zoonotic Anisakis larvae in imported, retail‐marketed smoked herring (Clupea harengus) and frozen mackerel (Scomber scombrus) in Egypt. A total of 154 fishes (84 ready‐to‐eat smoked herring and 70 frozen mackerel) were collected. The prevalence of Anisakis larvae Type I in the whole specimen of smoked herring and frozen mackerel was 19.05 and 42.86% with mean intensities of 4.71 and 1.83. While the prevalence in muscles was 8.33 and 5.71% with mean intensities of 4.29 and 5, respectively. The sequencing of 11 larval PCR products from fish muscles revealed the presence of two zoonotic species; Anisakis simplex sensu stricto and Anisakis pegreffii. The recovered strains showed high identities to GenBank Anisakis isolates of fish from the North Sea, nearby waters and from China. More surveillance studies are recommended on those areas to ensure food safety and minimize public health risks.Practical ApplicationFrozen fish imports by Egypt have been growing significantly since 2009 to cover the progressive elevation in fish consumption there. Anisakis is one of the commonly reported zoonotic parasites infecting humans through fish consumption. This study provides important information on the prevalence and molecular characteristics of zoonotic Anisakis species in edible muscles of imported, retail‐marketed frozen mackerel and ready‐to‐eat herring fish in Egypt. The study outlined some recommendations to reduce the public health risks from that biological hazard.