Anisakid nematodes prevalence in Chilean hake (Merluccius gayi gayi) commercialized in the city of Talca, Chile

Abstract

The main objective of this work was to determine the presence of anisakid larvae in fresh Chilean hake Merluccius gayi gayi coming from the coastal area near the city of Talca, Chile, commonly commercialized by a regional fish supply center located in the same city. Flesh and viscera of 214 fish were analyzed via direct observation, and the prevalence of parasitism was calculated. The results showed a prevalence of 100% and 24.3% in viscera and flesh, respectively. Morphologic characterization of 138 randomly selected larvae was performed via diaphanization technique, observing 106 larvae of Anisakis spp., 13 larvae of Pseudoterranova spp. and 19 nematodes classified as “unidentified.” All larvae here analyzed were viable based on the spontaneous movement ability of parasites. Overall, the high prevalence of fish infected with Anisakidae larvae highlights the importance of taking early intervention actions in order to prevent the occurrence of anisakidosis in the human Chilean population; particularly critical given the current culinary preference for raw fish dishes such as ceviche and sushi, which poses a public health issue.

Prevalence and molecular identification of zoonotic Anisakis and Pseudoterranova species in fish destined to human consumption in Chile

“…As such, anisakid prevalence in muscle resulted in rather high levels with 18.6%, 15%, and 1.7% in Chilean hakes, snoeks, and sea breams, respectively. Prevalence of anisakid larvae in muscles of Chilean hakes has also been reported high reaching values of 24.3% (Silva et al 2020) and 32% (Madrid et al 2016) in Central-Southern regions and 29.2% in Southern regions of the country (Torres et al 2000a, b) being relatively similar to our data. Conversely, prevalence of anisakid larvae in muscle tissue of snoeks and sea breams has scarcely been studied.…”

“…In this regard, composition of endoparasite fauna in marine organisms, including fish, is mainly influenced by their feeding habits (predator-prey relationships; Chavez et al 2012). In Chile, fish preys of snoeks and Chilean hakes have also been reported to be infected with anisakid larvae indicating that these two piscivorous species could clearly act as paratenic hosts in epizootiology of anisakiasis (Valdivia et al 2007;George-Nascimento and Moscoso 2013;Silva et al 2020) being also trophically transmitted among diverse marine species (Valdivia et al 2007). More importantly, Chilean hakes are one of the main pray fish of South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) in this region, thereby probably representing a pivotal role transmission routes of anisakiasis (George-Nascimento and Llanos 1995; González-Saldía et al 2015) and contributing to the perpetuation of life cycle.…”

Histopathological changes from parasitic Nematoda infestation in the musculature of some marine teleost fishes from the Algerian coast

“…In Italian waters, Dezfuli et al (2015) described the infection of Perca fluviatilis L. musculature with Eustrongylides sp. Silva et al (2020), Madrid et al (2016), andTorres et al (2014) all reported the presence of Anisakis spp. and Pseudoterranova spp.…”

Anisakidosis en peces frescos comercializados en tres ciudades de la Región del Bío Bío, Chile

“…De esta forma, es necesario reforzar la compra del pescado eviscerado, el hábito de consumir el pescado previa cocción sobre 63 °C por 10 a 15 minutos, o bien, congelación rápida a temperaturas inferiores a -20 °C durante siete días o -35 °C por 24 horas, procedimientos que permiten matar a las larvas (Adams y cols., 2005; Sánchez-Monsálvez y cols., 2006) 25,26 , y que el salado, ahumado o sometimiento a horno microonda de la carne de pescado no son larvicidas (de la Torre y cols., 2000) 27 . Así mismo, sugerimos preferir cocinar solo la musculatura epiaxial del pez, lugar de menor frecuencia de localización de larvas de anisákidos, tal como se evidencia en nuestro estudio, así como en otros similares (Madrid, y cols., 2016; Silva y cols., 2020) 13,28 .…”