Occurrence of Anisakis (Nematoda: Anisakidae) larvae in unusual hosts in Southern hemisphere

Abstract

Nematodes belonging to the genus Anisakis are important parasites due to their abundance in seafood and health impacts on humans. In the present study Anisakis larvae were found in a number of uncommon hosts including the Grey petrel, Procellaria cinerea, the Little penguin, Eudyptula minor, Blue-lipped sea krait, Laticauda laticaudata and Spinner shark, Carcharhinus brevipinna.Morphological examination showed nematodes in these animals are Anisakis larval type I. Genetic characterisation suggested that the larva from one Grey petrel was Anisakis berlandi, whereas the other larvae from the second Grey petrel and from the little penguin were Anisakis pegreffii. A number of larvae found in Blue-lipped sea krait and Spinner shark were identified as Anisakis typica. This is the first report of infective stage of Anisakis larvae parasitising hosts other than teleost fish. Understanding of the extent of infection and the pathogenicity of anisakid nematodes in hosts found in the present study is important in the conservation studies and management plans of these hosts.