First report of Kudoa sp. in the palate and pharyngeal musculature of Gobioides grahamae Palmer and Wheeler, 1955 (Perciformes, Gobiidae) from Marajo Island, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe the first occurrence of Kudoa sp. in Gobioides grahamae, contributing to the understanding of this group of parasites in the Amazonian ichthyofauna. Forty specimens of G. grahamae collected from the natural environment were analyzed. Cysts of Kudoa sp. were diffusely distributed through the striated skeletal muscle fibers with severe edema and inflammatory infiltrate composed of lymphocytes were observed in 30% of the specimens. Edema and marked coagulation necrosis of the muscle fibers was associated with infection by Kudoa sp. spores, which had accumulated inside the skeletal muscle fibers. Although there are no records of foodborne outbreaks caused by Kudoa spp. in Brazil, it is of paramount importance that we evaluate its occurrence, since the consumption of fish, especially raw fish, has increased because of the adoption of Japanese cuisine. To minimize the economic impacts on the fisheries market and the risk of this parasite to public health, it is necessary to initiate a program to monitor the presence of this likely underdiagnosed, emerging parasite.