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First Occurrence of Eustrongylides spp. (Nematoda: Dioctophymatidae) in a Subalpine Lake in Northwest Italy: New Data on Distribution and Host Range.

Authors :
Menconi V
Riina MV
Pastorino P
Mugetti D
Canola S
Pizzul E
Bona MC
Dondo A
Acutis PL
Prearo M
Source :
International journal of environmental research and public health [Int J Environ Res Public Health] 2020 Jun 11; Vol. 17 (11). Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Jun 11.
Publication Year :
2020

Abstract

The genus Eustrongylides includes nematodes that infect fish species and fish-eating birds inhabiting freshwater ecosystems. Nematodes belonging to the genus Eustrongylides are potentially pathogenic for humans; infection occurs after the consumption of raw or undercooked fish. In the two-year period 2019-2020, a total of 292 fish belonging to eight species were examined for the occurrence of Eustrongylides spp. from Lake San Michele, a small subalpine lake in northwest Italy. The prevalence of infestation was 18.3% in Lepomis gibbosus , 16.7% in Micropterus salmoides , and 10% in Perca fluviatilis . The other five fish species ( Ameiurus melas , Ictalurus punctatus , Squalius cephalus , Carassius carassius , and Scardinius erythrophthalmus ) were all negative for parasite presence. There were no significant differences in prevalence between the three fish species (Fisher's exact test; p = 0.744). The mean intensity of infestation ranged from 1 ( M. salmoides and P. fluviatilis ) to 1.15 ( L. gibbosus) , and the mean abundance ranged from 0.1 ( P. fluviatilis ) to 0.28 ( L. gibbosus ). There were significant differences in the infestation site between the four muscle quadrants (anterior ventral, anterior dorsal, posterior ventral, and posterior dorsal) and the visceral cavity (Kruskal-Wallis test; p = 0.0008). The study findings advance our knowledge about the distribution and host range of this parasite in Italy.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1660-4601
Volume :
17
Issue :
11
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
International journal of environmental research and public health
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
32545332
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17114171