Fish-borne Zoonotic Trematodes Research Articles

Experimental infection with the small intestinal trematode, Haplorchis pumilio, in young dogs

Fishborne zoonotic trematodes (FZT) are highly prevalent in Southeast Asia. Recent studies on the role of domestic animals in the transmission of FZT in Northern Vietnam found that dogs, mainly infected with Haplorchis pumilio, contributed widely to the transmission of FZT. On this background, we conducted an experimental infection with H. pumilio to elucidate population dynamics and host reactions in dogs. Eight household-reared dogs (3–6 months old), were each orally infected with 500 H. pumilio metacercariae obtained by artificial digestion of naturally infected fish. Another eight dogs were included as uninfected controls. Faecal examination for eggs was performed twice weekly using a sieving and sedimentation technique. Body temperature and weight of the dogs were measured as was total white blood cells, blood eosinophils and packed cell volume. Subsets of dogs were examined post-mortem for presence of adult FZT at three different time points post infection by sectioning of the small intestine and caecum into four parts. Patent infections established in all eight infected dogs. The worm establishment ranged from 15 to 121 flukes (3–24%, mean 12%). Faecal egg excretion was measured in all eight infected dogs but no more than two eggs per g faeces (epg) were found at any time. Infections lasted for at least two months as documented by the presence of adult flukes in all three dogs necropsied on day 58 post infection. The predilection site of the flukes was identified as the lower part of jejunum (93% of total worm burden). The results of the haematological tests did not differ between the infected and uninfected group. Further, no clinical symptoms were observed in the infected group and no macroscopic pathological changes could be assigned to the trematode infections, neither did histopathological examination of the intestine reveal any differences between the infected and the control dogs. This study provides the first basic knowledge on the establishment, duration and location of H. pumilio infection in dogs. However, before any control measures can be recommended, knowledge regarding infection dynamics, epidemiology, health impact and control is needed.

Evaluation of the role of rats as reservoir hosts for fishborne zoonotic trematodes in two endemic northern Vietnam fish farms

Fishborne zoonotic trematodes (FZTs) pose a food safety risk for the aquaculture industry in Vietnam. The risk of being infected from eating raw fish applies not only to humans but also to domestic animals which can serve as reservoir hosts in fish farms. The role of rodents, commonly found in fish farms, as reservoir hosts has not been adequately evaluated. To study this question, commensal and rice field rats were collected from fish farms in Nghia Lac and Nghia Phu communes, Nam Dinh province, Vietnam and examined for FZT infection. A total of 250 rats (Rattus norvegicus, Rattus argentiventer, and Bandicota indica) were collected and examined; the rats were trapped in the farm households (commensal) and in rice fields adjoining the fish ponds (field). The total prevalence of all parasites was 52.8 %: nematodes, 42.4 %; trematodes 18.0 %; and cestodes, (3.6 %), including two zoonotic cestode species, Raillietina celebenisis and Hymenolepis diminuta. Although overall prevalence and intensity of parasite infection did not differ significantly among rat species or between the two communes, the intensity of nematode infection was significantly higher in commensal rats (p < 0.05). The only FZTs recovered were the intestinal flukes Echinostoma cinetorchis and Centrocestus formosanus, both at low prevalence. Because the most common FZTs found in fish from these communes are Haplorchis pumilio and Haplorchis taichui, neither of which were found in the rats, we conclude that rats are not significant reservoir hosts for FZT in these Vietnamese fish farms.

Higher attack rate of fish-borne trematodes (Heterophyidae) in common carp fingerlings (Cyprinus carpio) at lower fish weight

Fish-borne zoonotic trematodes (FZTs) can cause pathology in humans. Fish weight was reported as important risk factor for transmission from snail to fish. However, in fingerlings, the relation between fish weight and infection is unknown. Aim was quantifying the effect of fish weight on infection probability, attack rate, and metacercariae burden of FZTs in common carps (Cyprinus carpio) between 1 and 20 g. Fish were either used as controls (n = 66) or exposed to 250 parapleurolophocercous cercariae (n = 254). Fish weight was analysed as continuous explanatory variable or classified in four categories with average weights of 0.7 g (n = 116), 4.0 g (n = 58), 8.2 g (n = 57) and 14.2 g (n = 23). The inverse relation between percentage of fish with metacercariae and fish weight is reflected in lower percentages of infected fish at higher weights [%infected = 100/(1 + e([-2.02+0.15 fish weight (g)])); p < 0.01], i.e. 89 %, 85 %, 63 % and 61 %, respectively, in the four groups. Control fish did not get infected. Attack rates were 0.0087, 0.0073, 0.0040 and 0.0033 fish infected per cercariae, respectively; the first two attack rates being significantly higher than the latter two. Mean number of metacercariae per weight group was 5, 5, 2 and 1, respectively, (p < 0.05), with an inverse relation using weight as continuous explanatory variable [p < 0.01; number metacercariae = e(1.76-0.13fish weight(g))]. Concluding, an inverse relation exists between fish weight and probability of infection, attack rate and parasite burden in common carp fingerlings. Reducing transmission to fingerlings might be an effective intervention method to improve food safety, reduce the absolute amount of FZTs in the environment and eventually reduce incidence in humans.

Prevalence and Intensity of Fish-Borne Zoonotic Trematodes in Cultured Freshwater Fish from Rural and Urban Areas of Northern Vietnam

Consumption of raw freshwater fish produced in both rural farm and urban wastewater ponds is a common practice in Vietnam. The present study assessed the risk of fish-borne zoonotic trematode (FZT) infection from fish raised in both these aquaculture systems in northern Vietnam. The diversity, prevalence, and infection intensity of FZT metacercariae in 1,500 freshwater fish collected from 6 sites located in rural and urban areas in northern Vietnam were investigated. The specific diagnosis of species was made by morphologic methods. The overall FZT prevalence in fish from both urban wastewater ponds and rural farm ponds was 11.2%. In wastewater ponds, the overall prevalence was 5.1%, ranging from 2.0% in tilapia to 7.3% in common and grass carp. In fish from farm ponds, the prevalence was 17.3%, and ranged from 6.7% in mud carp to 26.7% in common carp. The mean intensity of FZT infection was also higher in fish from farm ponds than that in fish from wastewater ponds (6.0% and 8.4%, respectively). The FZT species recovered from infected fish included both liver (Clonorchis sinensis) and intestinal flukes (Haplorchis taichui, Haplorchis pumilio, and Centrocestus formosanus). The prevalence of FZT in fish raised in these common farm systems represents a significant public health risk for a population with a strong cultural preference for consuming raw or inadequately prepared fish. These research results should encourage the public health and agriculture sectors to conduct the risk factor research required to develop control programs for FZT.

Freshwater Aquaculture Nurseries and Infection of Fish with Zoonotic Trematodes, Vietnam

Residents of the Red River Delta region of northern Vietnam have a long tradition of eating raw fish. Fish-borne zoonotic trematodes (FZTs) are estimated to infect ≈1 million persons in Vietnam. It remains uncertain at what stages in the aquaculture production cycle fish become infected with FZTs. Newly hatched fish (fry) from 8 hatcheries and juveniles from 27 nurseries were therefore examined for FZT infection. No FZTs were found in fry from hatcheries. In nurseries, FZT prevalence in juveniles was 14.1%, 48.6%, and 57.8% after 1 week, 4 weeks, and when overwintered in ponds, respectively. FZT prevalence was higher in grass carp (p<0.001) than in other carp species. Results show that nurseries are hot spots for FZT infections in fish. Thus, sustainable FZT prevention strategies must address aquaculture management practices, particularly in nurseries, to minimize the risk of distributing infected juveniles to grow-out ponds and, subsequently, to markets for human consumption.

Raw-Fish-Eating Behavior and Fishborne Zoonotic Trematode Infection in People of Northern Vietnam

Raw fish consumption in restaurants, for example, Sashimi style, is popular worldwide. In Vietnam, raw fish dishes are also traditionally prepared and consumed in private households. However, the habits of eating raw or otherwise inadequately cooked fish can be associated with risks of acquiring fishborne zoonotic trematode (FZT) infection. The present study was done in a fish-farming community in Nam Dinh, Vietnam, to obtain information about habits of eating raw fish dishes and risks for human FZT infection. Discussions were held in different groups divided by gender and age on raw-fish-eating behavior. A total of 180 household members were interviewed and their stool samples analyzed to identify risk factors of FZT infection. There was awareness about the risk of liver fluke infections from eating raw fish. However, many older people accepted these risks and continued eating raw fish, as they know effective drug treatment is available. Raw fish dishes are consumed at social gatherings from shared plates and dipping sauces using the same chop sticks. This is likely to pose risks of crosscontamination with FZT metacercariae to different food items as indicated by the finding that 25.8% of household members that stated not to have eaten raw fish were infected. In total, 32.2% fish farm household members were infected with FZT. The odds of FZT infection was 2.3 times higher (p = 0.013) for those eating raw fish than for those who did not eat raw fish. Among the people eating raw fish, those eating raw fish in restaurants had 3.6 times higher odds of FZT infection (p = 0.009) than people eating raw fish at home. A successful program to control FZT must be based on in-depth knowledge on the social and anthropological determinants of people's raw-fish-eating behavior and hygiene practices as well as production of FZT-free fish for human consumption.

Field trial of praziquantel for control of fishborne zoonotic trematodes in reservoir hosts in Vietnam

This field trial was conducted to determine whether 40 or 75mg/kg of praziquantel is suitable for treatment of fishborne zoonotic trematodes (FZT) in naturally infected dogs (n=10) and cats (n=11). Three days after treatment all animals at either dose were negative for small trematode eggs. In two cats and one dog treated with 75mg/kg, however, a few damaged eggs were found 3 days post-treatment; no small trematode eggs were seen in these animals at day 14 post-treatment. In addition, at the 75mg dose, two cats and two dogs experienced vomiting or diminished appetite. Therefore a praziquantel dose of 40mg/kg is suggested for treatment of FZT in dogs and cats.

Farm-Level Risk Factors for Fish-Borne Zoonotic Trematode Infection in Integrated Small-Scale Fish Farms in Northern Vietnam

BackgroundNorthern Vietnam is an endemic region for fish-borne zoonotic trematodes (FZT), including liver and intestinal flukes. Humans acquire the FZT infection by eating raw or inadequately cooked fish. The production of FZT-free fish in aquaculture is a key component in establishing a sustainable program to prevent and control the FZT transmission to humans. Interventions in aquaculture should be based on knowledge of the main risk factors associated with FZT transmission.Methodology/Principal FindingsA longitudinal study was carried out from June 2006 to May 2007 in Nam Dinh province, Red River Delta to investigate the development and risk factors of FZT infections in freshwater cultured fish. A total of 3820 fish were sampled six times at two-month intervals from 96 fish farms. Logistic analysis with repeated measurements was used to evaluate potential risk factors based on information collected through questionnaire interviews with 61 fish farm owners. The results showed that the FZT infections significantly increased from first sampling in June to July 2006 (65%) to sixth sampling in April to May, 2007 (76%). The liver fluke, Clonorchis sinensis and different zoonotic intestinal flukes including Haplochis pumilio, H. taichui, H. yokogawai, Centrocestus formosanus and Procerovum varium were found in sampled fish. Duration of fish cultured (sampling times), mebendazole drug self-medication of household members, presence of snails in the pond, and feeding fish with green vegetation collected outside fish farms all had a significant effect on the development of FZT prevalence in the fish.Conclusions/SignificanceThe FZT prevalence in fish increased by 11 percentage points during a one-year culture period and the risk factors for the development of infection were identified. Results also highlight that the young fish are already highly infected when stocked into the grow-out systems. This knowledge should be incorporated into control programs of FZT transmission in integrated small-scale aquaculture nursery and grow-out systems in Vietnam.

Distribution of freshwater snails in family-based VAC ponds and associated waterbodies with special reference to intermediate hosts of fish-borne zoonotic trematodes in Nam Dinh Province, Vietnam

Fish-borne zoonotic trematodes, such as Clonorchis sinensis, heterophyids and others, constitute a public health concern in parts of northern Vietnam and infections with these trematodes are often thought to be linked to fish culture. One common fish culture system is the integrated fish-livestock (VAC) ponds where individual households have 1 or more ponds. Fish fry, mainly of various carp species, produced in hatcheries, not necessarily local, are introduced into nursery ponds and after approximately 6 weeks, juvenile fishes are transferred to household ponds, referred to as grow-out ponds. Grow-out ponds are usually fertilized with organic debris, including animal excreta, to stimulate algal growth and subsequently fish growth. This paper describes the distribution of freshwater snails and occurrence of trematode infections in these in VAC ponds and associated habitats as part of a major study on risk factors of FZT infections in cultured fish in two communes, Nghia Lac and Nghia Phu, Nghia Hung District, Nam Dinh Province. The area is under intense rice cultivation with an extensive canal network supplying fields and also household VAC ponds. A total of 16 snail species was found and four were widely distributed i.e. Angulyagra polyzonata, Melanoides tuberculata, Bithynia fuchsiana and Pomacea insularum. Snail diversity and counts were higher in nursery ponds than in grow-out ponds. Species of the families Thiaridae and Viviparidae were more abundant than other species in VAC ponds while species of the Bithyniidae, Stenothyridae and Planorbidae dominated in rice fields and small canals. Trematode infections were found in eight snail species and among these M. tuberculata had the highest overall prevalence of infection (13.28%). No trematode infections were found in species of the Viviparidae and Ampullaridae except for metacercariae. Parapleurolophocercous and pleurolophocercous cercariae constituted the most common type of cercariae recovered, contributing 40.6% of all infections followed by echinostome cercariae (35.0%) and xiphidiocercariae (17.3%). Bithynia fuschiana and M. tuberculata had the most diverse trematode fauna. C. sinensis was not recorded in this study. The VAC pond system in this area, is very important for transmission of minute intestinal trematodes while they play little role in transmission of C. sinensis as its intermediate hosts, bithynid snails, rarely occur in these ponds. From a public health perspective this is positive as the effects of infections with intestinal trematodes are considered mild. On the other hand it is possible that even such subtle effects could have importance in public health as transmission is very intense in the area. And this in combination with the aquaculture importance, reduced marketability of fishes with high metacercariae loads, warrants that control efforts against these trematodes are initiated to reduce transmission in this production system.

Fish-Borne Zoonotic Trematodes in Cultured and Wild-Caught Freshwater Fish from the Red River Delta, Vietnam

Nam Dinh province in Red River Delta, Vietnam, is an endemic area for the human liver fluke Clonorchis sinensis, but little is known about its occurrence in the fish intermediate host in this region. A cross-sectional study was carried out to identify fish-borne zoonotic trematodes (FZT) species diversity and to estimate the prevalence and infection densities of FZT in three major types of fish: cultured species and self-recruiting species from family ponds and wild-caught species from irrigation canals in Nam Dinh province. A total of 714 wild-caught fish from canals and 829 fish from family ponds were examined for FZT infection. Only a single fish from a pond was infected with Cl. sinensis. The intestinal fluke Haplorchis pumilio was very common and found in more than 50% of fish irrespective of origin. Four other intestinal FZT species were found at low prevalence (<4.0%) except Procerovum varium, which was found in 14.4% of wild-caught fish. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in FZT prevalence in cultured fish (64.3%) compared with wild-caught fish (68.9%), nor between cultured fish species (65.1%) and self-recruiting species obtained from ponds (58.1%). The prevalence of FZT in silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) (82.7%), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) (76.9%), and mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala) (63.8%) was significantly higher than that in rohu (Labeo rohita) (49.1%) (p < 0.001). The density of FZT metacercariae in fish from canals (0.56 metacercariae/g) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that in fish from ponds (0.03 metacercariae/g). The frequent occurrence of intestinal flukes in all fish types indicates that wild-caught and cultured fish are equally at risk of infection with FZT, particularly in species commonly used in Nam Dinh to prepare raw fish dishes. These results underscore the need for greater awareness of the risk from raw fish dishes among public health agencies and consumers.

Poultry as reservoir hosts for fishborne zoonotic trematodes in Vietnamese fish farms

Fishborne zoonotic trematodes (FZT) are widespread in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. It is now recognized that the risk of being infected from eating raw fish dishes applies not only to humans, but also to domestic animals (e.g., cats, dogs, and pigs) and fish-eating birds. The role of ducks and chicken, commonly raised on fish farms, as reservoir hosts, however, has not been adequately investigated. To study this question, chickens and ducks from integrated poultry-fish farms in Nghia Lac and Nghia Phu communes, Nam Dinh province, Vietnam were surveyed for FZT infections. A total of 50 ducks and 50 chickens from each commune were examined. Results revealed that 12% of chickens and 30% of ducks were infected with various species of trematodes, including two zoonotic species, Centrocestus formosanus and Echinostoma cinetorchis. Both occurred in chickens whereas only E. cinetorchis was found in ducks. Prevalence of these zoonotic species was 12% and 7% in ducks and chickens, respectively. Among other trematodes, Hypoderaeum conoideum, also a zoonotic fluke, was the most prevalent (20–30%). The feeding of snails and fish remains to poultry, either intentionally or by discharge of waste from the slaughter of ducks and chickens into the ponds, was identified as risk factors for trematode infection. The FZT species and low prevalence found in poultry in these communes indicate their role as reservoir hosts is minor.

Fishborne zoonotic trematodes in raw fish dishes served in restaurants in Nam Dinh Province and Hanoi, Vietnam.

Fishborne zoonotic trematode (FZT) parasites are a serious food safety problem in Asian countries because of their tradition of eating raw fish. In northern Vietnam, the prevalence of FZT metacercariae (MC) in wild-caught and cultured fish is quite high. The objective of this study was to assess the risk for acquiring these parasites from raw fish dishes prepared in restaurants. Samples of fish meat (body muscle) and remainder parts (head, gills, fins, skin, and muscle tissue from the tail) were obtained from 39 restaurants located in Nam Dinh province, an area endemic for FZTs, and from 74 restaurants in the capital city of Hanoi. Six species of zoonotic intestinal trematodes were recovered from a total of nine freshwater and brackish water fish species. Overall, the prevalence of MC in meat samples was 6.1% and in remainder samples, 34.9%; freshwater fish were more often infected (39.4%) than brackish water species (16.0%). Dishes from Nam Dinh restaurants were more often infected (11.8%) than those from Hanoi (3.1%). The dominant trematode species, Haplorchis pumilio, exhibited a strong predilection for encystment in remainder fish parts (36.5%) compared with meat (3.9%). The mean density of MC in meat samples overall was low (1.0 to 1.5 MC per 50 g); however, the potential for parasites to accumulate over years of eating raw fish could result in significant clinical disease, as occurs with liver flukes. Also, the high densities of MC in the remainder parts (2.3 to 72.9 MC per 50 g) pose a threat for cross-contamination during dish preparation.

Prevalence and risks for fishborne zoonotic trematode infections in domestic animals in a highly endemic area of North Vietnam

Fishborne zoonotic trematodes (FZT) are endemic in humans and cultured fish in Vietnam but little is known about FZT in domestic animals. A study was designed to determine FZT prevalence and species diversity, and risk factors for infection, in dogs, cats and pigs. Faecal samples from 186 dogs, 94 cats and 168 pigs belonging to 132 households in Nghia Hung district, Nam Dinh province, were examined for small trematode eggs; those were trematode eggs with length less than 50 μm. Prevalence of FZT varied significantly between cats (70.2%), dogs (56.9%) and pigs (7.7%). Forty-nine of the egg-positive animals (25 dogs, 20 cats and 4 pigs) were necropsied to obtain adult trematodes for identification. The liver fluke, Clonorchis sinensis, and 11 species of intestinal flukes including Haplorchis, Stellantchasmus, Stictodora and Centrocestus were recovered from the infected animals. The practice of feeding raw fish to the animals was a significant risk factor for infection; this risk was reduced if the animals were periodically treated with anthelmintics. Based on the high prevalence of FZT and certain risky husbandry practices, domestic animals are likely to be major contributors of FZT eggs to the environment. Therefore, education of farmers to avoid feeding raw fish and to perform regular anthelmintic treatment of dogs, cats and pigs is needed in integrated FZT control programs.

Prevalence of zoonotic trematode parasites in fish fry and juveniles in fish farms of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Zoonotic parasites are a significant food safety problem, particularly in Asia. In Vietnam fishborne zoonotic trematodes (FZT) are highly prevalent in fish cultured in grow-out farms. However, FZT infection status of juveniles produced and distributed by hatcheries and nurseries is unknown. Here we report an epidemiological investigation on FZT in fry and juveniles of major cultured freshwater fish species in four provinces of the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. No FZT infections were found in 14 species of fry sampled from hatcheries. In contrast, nursery juveniles of river catfish, hybrid catfish, giant gouramy, climbing perch, common carp, kissing gouramy, silver barb, silver carp, grass carp, Indian carp, pacu, tilapia and snakeskin gouramy were frequently infected with FZT metacercariae (range 1.2–29.7%). Seasonal variation in prevalence was observed: prevalence in river catfish and hybrid catfish were maximal in January, at the end of the flooding season, while the prevalence in juveniles of giant gouramy, climbing perch, common carp, kissing gouramy, silver barb, silver carp grass carp, mrigal and pacu were higher in the wet season, June to November. Overall, FZT prevalence was highest in climbing perch and giant gouramy (29.7% and 27.8%, respectively) and the lowest in river catfish (1.2%). The density of FZT metacercariae in fish varied seasonally only in climbing perch which was maximal in the wet season (P<0.05), compared to the dry season (430 vs 28 metacercariae/100 g of fish). These results demonstrate that acquisition of infected seed stock from nurseries is a serious risk for Vietnamese grow-out fish farms, and stress that interventions to control FZT must focus also on these stages of the cultured fish production cycle.

Optimization of an Experimental Model for the Recovery of Adult Haplorchis pumilio (Heterophyidae: Digenea)

Recent studies in Vietnam and other Asian countries have shown that fish-borne zoonotic intestinal trematodes (FZT) occur very frequently in humans. The dominant intestinal FZT in Vietnamese fish are species of Haplorchis, in particular H. pumilio. However, basic studies on the biology and pathology of adult H. pumilio are difficult because of the lack of a standardized experimental animal model. The objective of this study was to establish and optimize such an animal-infection model for H. pumilio. Using metacercariae isolated from naturally infected fish, experiments were conducted to identify a suitable experimental animal host species, as well as the optimum metacercariae infection dose, and to determine the post-infection interval for patency. In a series of experiments, mice (Mus musculus) and chickens (Gallus gallus dom.) were infected with different numbers of metacercariae, and worm recoveries were made at varying intervals post-infection (PI). Based on the mean number of adult flukes recovered/number of metacercariae inoculated and the percent of hosts infected, mice were significantly more susceptible to infection than were chickens. The proportion of metacercariae developing to the adult stage increased with dose size. The peak worm recovery (geometric mean) was found to be day 7, although not all recovered flukes were gravid until day 9 PI. These results describe a mouse infection model with good predictability for intestinal flukes, such as H. pumilio, results which could facilitate investigations on important biological and pathological aspects of intestinal fluke infections.

Animal Reservoir Hosts and Fish-borne Zoonotic Trematode Infections on Fish Farms, Vietnam

Fish-borne zoonotic trematodes (FZT) pose a risk to human food safety and health and may cause substantial economic losses in the aquaculture industry. In Nghe An Province, Vietnam, low prevalence of FZT for fish farmers but high prevalence for fish indicate that reservoir hosts other than humans may play a role in sustaining transmission. To determine whether domestic animals may be reservoir hosts, we assessed prevalence and species composition of FZT infections in dogs, cats, and pigs in a fish-farming community in Vietnam. Feces from 35 cats, 80 dogs, and 114 pigs contained small trematode eggs at 48.6%, 35.0%, and 14.4%, respectively; 7 species of adult FZT were recovered from these hosts. These results, combined with data from previous investigations in this community, imply that domestic animals serve as reservoir hosts for FZT and therefore must be included in any control programs to prevent FZT infection in humans.

Prevalence of Zoonotic Trematodes in Fish from a Vietnamese Fish-Farming Community

The prevalence of fish-borne zoonotic trematode (FZT) metacercariae was investigated in fish farmed by rural households in Nghe An Province, located in northern Vietnam. In total, 716 fish, including tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and 6 carp species, i.e., grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus), bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis), mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), silver carp (Hypophthalmychthys molitrix), and roha (Labeo rohita), collected from 53 fish farms were examined. The overall prevalence of FZT metacercariae was 44.6%, ranging from 12.5% to 61.0% in fish species collected from grow-out ponds, which are the production system for growing fish from fingerling size to market size. The overall prevalence was 43.6% in fingerlings cultured in nurseries, ranging from 7.4% to 62.8% for different fish species. The FZT species recovered were heterophyids and echinostomatids and included Haplorchis pumilio, H. taichui, H. yokogawai, Centrocestus formosanus, Stellantchas musfalcatus, and Echinochasmus japonicus, all of which are intestinal flukes in humans, other mammals, and birds. This is the first report of H. yokogawai and E. japonicus in fish in Vietnam, and the first record for S. falcatus in northern Vietnam. Although a previous cross-sectional survey of the people living in these fish farm households revealed a very low prevalence of FZTs (< 1%), our results demonstrate that intestinal flukes are common in farmed fish in this area, suggesting that reservoir hosts such as dogs, cats, and pigs are more important in sustaining the life cycles of these flukes in fish farms than human hosts. This has implications for the effectiveness of control programs focused mainly on treatment of humans.

Fishborne Zoonotic Intestinal Trematodes, Vietnam

Although fishborne zoonotic trematodes that infect the liver are well documented in Vietnam, intestinal fishborne zoonotic trematodes are unreported. Recent discoveries of the metacercarial stage of these flukes in wild and farmed fish prompted an assessment of their risk to a community that eats raw fish. A fecal survey of 615 persons showed a trematode egg prevalence of 64.9%. Infected persons were treated to expel liver and intestinal parasites for specific identification. The liver trematode Clonorchis sinensis was recovered from 51.5%, but > or =1 of 4 intestinal species of the family Heterophyidae was recovered from 100%. The most numerous were Haplorchis spp. (90.4% of all worms recovered). These results demonstrate that fishborne intestinal parasites are an unrecognized food safety risk in a country whose people have a strong tradition of eating raw fish.

Occurrence and species distribution of fishborne zoonotic trematodes in wastewater‐fed aquaculture in northern Vietnam

To assess the risk of fishborne zoonotic trematode (FZT) infection in fish reared in wastewater-fed ponds in peri-urban areas of northern Vietnam. We collected 1200 fish from aquaculture systems receiving wastewater from the cities of Hanoi and Nam Dinh in northern Vietnam and examined them for zoonotic metacercariae. Collection periods were fall (October-November 2005) and spring (April-June 2006). The fish were digested in pepsin and metacecariae, recovered and identified by light microscopy. Data were expressed as both prevalence and intensity of infection. FZT metacercariae were recovered from fish samples at both sites and during both sampling periods. The overall prevalence of FZT was 5% (2.0% in fall and 6.5% in spring) in fish from Hanoi and 4.6% (2.4% in fall and 5.7% in spring) in fish from Nam Dinh. The higher prevalence in the warmer months was likely due to ecological factors such as temperatures and population dynamics of the snail vectors. All metacercariae recovered were zoonotic intestinal trematodes of the family Heterophyidae. The infected fish included tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and three species of carps, including silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), which is commonly used for the preparation of raw fish dishes. Intensities of infection were relatively low. Fish raised in peri-urban wastewater-fed aquaculture systems are at risk of infection with trematode parasites, which can be transmitted to humans through consumption of raw or improperly prepared fish. However, the prevalence was low as compared to previous findings of FZT in non-wastewater fish elsewhere in Vietnam. Studies are needed to assess the relative importance of different risk factors for transmission and control of FZT in wastewater-fed aquaculture.

Prevalence of fishborne zoonotic parasites in important cultured fish species in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

A seasonal investigation on the occurrence of fishborne zoonotic trematodes (FZT) in economically important mono-cultured hybrid catfish and giant gouramy was conducted in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. Fish from carp poly-culture and intensive small-scale integrated vegetable-aquaculture-animal husbandry farming (VAC) systems were also examined. No FZT metacercariae were found in any mono-cultured hybrid catfish. FZT metacercariae were common, however, in fish from the other three systems: All metacercariae belonged to the Heterophyidae family of trematodes, Haplorchis pumilio, H. taichui, Centrocestus formosanus and Stellantchasmus falcatus. The FZT prevalence was 1.7% in mono-cultured giant gouramy, 6.6% in carp from the poly-culture and 3.0% in fish raised in the VAC system. H. pumilio was the most common FZT species constituting more than 58.0% of all metacercariae recovered. The prevalence of infection was significantly higher in the flooding season compared to the non-flooding season for both giant gouramy and fish reared in the VAC system. FZT intensity was greatest in fish from carp poly-culture, particularly in the flooding season. The results indicate that certain fish production systems are at risk for FZT, and control approaches will benefit from understanding these risk factors.