Prevalence and Public Health Significance of Anisakis Larvae in some Marketed Marine Fish in Egypt

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence rate of Anisakis larvae in two marine water fish commonly consumed in Egypt, namely, herrings and sardine. Samples were collected equally from Suez, Ismailia, Damietta, Port Said and Alexandria. The obtained results revealed overall incidence rates of Anisakis larvae in herrings and sardine at 70% and 50%, respectively. The parasite infested mainly (100%) the visceral organs of the positive samples in the two fish species; while infested the muscles in 30% and 10% of herrings and sardine, respectively. The highest prevalence rates for the two species were recorded in the collected samples from Damietta, followed by Alexandria, Port Said, Ismailia, and Suez, respectively. The public health significance of Anisakis larvae was further discussed.