Search

Abstract The Argentinean short-finned squid (Illex argentinus) is an oceanic, neritic species widely distributed off the east coast of South America, representing the most abundant commercially exploited squid species in these waters. Despite the great commercial importance of Argentinean short-finned squid as a food resource, and as frozen product exported to Europe, the presence of zoonotic anisakid nematodes, especially in the mantle of the squid, is poorly known. The occurrence and site of infection of larval ascaridoid nematodes in 70 I. argentinus caught off the Falkland Islands were investigated. Squids were examined using the UV-Press method. In total, 30 nematodes were detected in the viscera and mantle. According to morphology, 27 were third-stage larvae (L 3) belonging to genus Anisakis , while three were L 3 assigned to Hysterothylacium. Anisakis pegreffii (n = 27) were identified by sequence analysis of the mtDNA cox2 and the partial EF1 α-1 region of nDNA genes; Hysterothylacium aduncum (N = 3) were identified by sequence analysis of the ITS rDNA region. These findings represent the first molecular identification of A. pegreffii and H. aduncum in I. argentinus. Both prevalence (P = 15.7%) and abundance (A = 0.39) of infection with A. pegreffii were low, and even lower values of infection were recorded for H. aduncum (P = 2.1%, A = 0.04). Only 3 out of 70 (4.3%) squids hosted A. pegreffii larvae in the mantle. Larvae infecting viscera were coiled and mainly attached to outer surface of visceral organs. Mantle-infecting larvae were situated in the posterior half. Thus, these results suggest that – although low - the risk of acquiring anisakiasis from consumption of raw, marinated and/or undercooked short-finned squid products still exists. Highlights • Illex argentinus is an economically important squid fishery in the SW Atlantic Ocean. • First molecular report of zoonotic A. pegreffii in I. argentinus • Occurrence of A. pegreffii in the mantle musculature of Illex argentinus • Risk of anisakiasis if squids are consumed raw/marinated/lightly processed [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haddock and whiting are two species of the family Gadidae that are exploited by fisheries mainly in European waters, the former being one of the most important seafood resources in Scotland (UK). The present study aimed to quantify prevalence, abundance and intensity of infection of the zoonotic parasite Anisakis spp. and other ascaridoid nematodes in these fish as part of a study on the risk to consumers. Fish were sourced from research trawling surveys during 2013–2015, aiming to cover a range of size-classes and different times of year. Samples were obtained from the North Sea, west coast of Scotland and the Barents Sea. Fish were stored frozen prior to separation of viscera and fillets and the use of pressing and UV visualisation to locate, identify and count Anisakis spp. and other ascaridoids in fillets (divided into 8 parts), liver and other viscera. A subsample of Anisakis spp. collected from haddock were identified genetically by means of two diagnostic markers (mtDNA cox2 and EF1 α-1 nuclear DNA), and all were identified as A. simplex (s. s.). Both fish species showed moderate to high infection levels with Anisakis spp. (likely A. simplex (s. s.)) in the visceral organs and cavity, and rather low infection in the musculature. Those A. simplex (s. s.) larvae present in the musculature were mostly found in the anterior ventral area. In both fish species, the infection rate increased with fish length and in haddock a negative relationship was observed between Anisakis spp. numbers in muscle and body condition. From our sampling of Anisakis spp. in fish muscle, in Scotland, whiting presents a greater human health risk than haddock in Scotland. The risk arising from consumption of haddock from the Barents Sea (with 72% prevalence of Anisakis ) is markedly higher, although in all cases the risk of infection in humans can be minimised if fish are frozen or adequately cooked prior to consumption. We present previously unpublished information on reported cases of anisakiasis in the United Kingdom during 2000–2013, which included 4 cases from Scotland among 22 overall. While these findings suggest that anisakiasis is relatively rare in the UK, underreporting is likely and further investigation of the incidence of anisakiasis is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida, Thelaziidae) eyeworm, a zoonotic parasite transmitted by lachryphagus drosophilids, causes subclinical to clinical ocular disease in a wide range of vertebrates, including humans. In the past 20 years, the infection spread primarily in areas where the vector thrives, and now is endemic in many European countries. Recently, this nematode has been reported also in the United States. Here, we describe the first record of the brown bear (Ursus arctos) as a host of T. callipaeda. Eight (26.7%) out of 30 bears were found to be infected with T. callipaeda adult worms. In addition, the parasite was detected in 13 wolves (Canis lupus) sharing the same environment with the brown bears. At the molecular characterization, all nematodes belonged to the haplotype 1, which is the only one recorded in Europe, as yet. This finding demonstrates that brown bears may act as hosts for this parasite, suggesting its potential role in the maintenance of the cycle not only in the wild but also in captivity. Under the above circumstances, the brown bear may represent a potential zoonotic risk for humans, both in rural and urban areas where other reservoirs may be infected., (© 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)