Parasitic infection levels by &lt;em&gt;Anisakis&lt;/em&gt; spp. larvae (Nematoda: Anisakidae) in the black scabbardfish &lt;em&gt;Aphanopus carbo&lt;/em&gt; (Osteichthyes: Trichiuridae) from Portuguese waters

Cristina Cruz,João Paulo Soares,Carla Ventura,Aurélia Saraiva,Margarida Hermida,Jorge C Eiras,Maria João Santos

doi:10.3989/scimar.2009.73s2115

Abstract

Aphanopus carbo, black scabbardfish, specimens from 3 Portuguese regions (the mainland, Madeira and the Azores) during four (mainland and Madeira) or two (Azores) seasons of the year were examined for the presence of Anisakis. All the fish examined (n=287) were infected with Anisakis L3 larvae (prevalence = 100%). Significant geographical differences in intensity were found: the Azores showed the lowest mean intensity value (53.7) and Madeira the highest one (253.9). The intensity of infection was positively correlated with the host length in specimens of Sesimbra and Madeira. Significant seasonal differences in intensity were found in the studied regions. The very high values in prevalence and intensity strongly suggest that the consumption of raw or undercooked black scabbard fish is a potential risk for human health.

Highlights

Nematode larvae of the genus Anisakis Dujardin, 1845 (Nematoda: Anisakidae) are common parasites of marine fish and a potential risk for human health since these larvae can infect humans after the ingestion of raw or undercooked fish (Ubeira et al, 2000)
The larvae, which occur in the body cavity, visceral organs and muscles in live fish, can migrate into flesh after the death of the host (Smith and Wootten, 1975; Silva and Eiras, 2003) and humans are at risk of becoming infected
The black scabbardfish, Aphanopus carbo Lowe, 1893 (Osteichthyes: Trichiuridae) is economically a very important fish species that is commonly consumed in Portugal and is highly infected by Anisakis larvae (Costa et al, 1996, 2003; Santos et al, 2009)

Summary

Introduction

Nematode larvae of the genus Anisakis Dujardin, 1845 (Nematoda: Anisakidae) are common parasites of marine fish and a potential risk for human health since these larvae can infect humans after the ingestion of raw or undercooked fish (Ubeira et al, 2000). The larvae, which occur in the body cavity, visceral organs and muscles in live fish, can migrate into flesh after the death of the host (Smith and Wootten, 1975; Silva and Eiras, 2003) and humans are at risk of becoming infected. Cruz et al. The fish are the intermediate or paratenic hosts of the parasites, whereas marine mammals are the definitive ones. Fish harbouring L3 larvae acquire the infection by feeding on intermediate or paratenic hosts such as crustaceans (euphausiids, copepods and amphipods), fish and cephalopods (Moravec, 1994; Anderson, 2000, Klimpel et al, 2008). The black scabbardfish, Aphanopus carbo Lowe, 1893 (Osteichthyes: Trichiuridae) is economically a very important fish species that is commonly consumed in Portugal and is highly infected by Anisakis larvae (Costa et al, 1996, 2003; Santos et al, 2009)

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