Occurrence of Anisakis and Hysterothylacium nematodes in Atlantic chub mackerels from Libyan coasts

Abstract

The occurrence of zoonotic parasitic nematodes in Atlantic chub mackerels (Scomber colias syn. Scomber japonicus) from Libyan waters was investigated, using epizootiological estimations and molecular specific characterization of larvae. Nematodes belonging to Anisakis spp., the main etiological agent of anisakiasis in Mediterranean waters, and to Hysterothylacium spp. so far considered not pathogenic to humans, were detected. Prevalence values were generally high in visceral cavities (over 40 % for both parasites) while were low for Anisakis (around 1 %) and null for Hysterothylacium in muscles. Moreover, the level of infections was associated with seasons, a feature potentially useful to plan fishing captures and to elaborate risk mitigation strategies for anisakiasis. Species molecular identification performed on a subsample described the presence of Hysterothylacium aduncum as the predominant species, along with Anisakis pegreffii and the hybrids (A. pegreffii and A. simplex sensu stricto), thus posing a concrete zoonotic risk following the consumption of such fish species as a raw preparation.