Helminth larvae of hygienic-sanitary importance parasitizing Fistularia petimba Lacepède, 1803, collected from fish markets of the municipality of Cabo Frio, RJ, Brazil

Abstract

Fistularia petimba is a fish species that has gained growing interest due to its appreciation for sushi and sahimi in Japanese restaurants of the coastal cities of Cabo Frio and Armação de Búzios, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The constant presence of helminths in the viscera, serosa and adjacent musculature of this fish has been the subject of important complaints among local fish traders, because of economic losses due to their repugnant aspect. Considering their hygienic-sanitary importance and significance for collective health, the presence of helminth larvae was investigated in 32 individual fish of F. petimba purchased from fish markets in the municipality of Cabo Frio in 2019. Cestode larvae, identified as Tentacularia coryphaenae, were found parasitizing the abdominal cavity and mesentery. Nematode larvae, identified as Hysterothylacium fortalezae and H. deardorffoverstreetorum, were found parasitizing stomach, intestine, liver, spleen, liver serosa, mesentery and abdominal cavity. Hysterothylacium fortalezae had the highest parasitic indices, with a prevalence of 43.75%, mean intensity of 8.07, mean abundance of 3.53 and range of infection of 3-25 specimens per host. Considerations of the zoonotic potential and hygienicsanitary significance of these helminths are presented to increase food safety for consumers.

Nematodes and acanthocephalans of hygienic-sanitary importance parasitizing Hyporthodus niveatus (Valenciennes, 1828) (Actinopterygii) collected from fish markets of the municipality of Niterói, RJ, Brazil

“…Hazard Analysis and a Critical Control Points Plan should be applied at all points of the production chain in order to eliminate, prevent or reduce risks, and ensure a safe and quality product, as proposed by Diniz et al (2022), Leite et al (2022) and Miguel et al (2022). This reinforces the hygienic-sanitary significance of monitoring for the parasites of this study, as well as intensification of fish-based food inspections and the implementation of health education programs.…”

“…Female genital spines located on ventral side, smaller than those of males. to host musculature, as has been suggested (Diniz et al, 2022;Leite et al, 2022;Miguel et al, 2022).…”

“…Various species of fish of the Brazilian coast have been reported parasitized by Contracecum sp., Terranova sp., H. deardorffoverestreetorum and Raphidascaris sp. larvae, mainly collected from off the coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro (Eiras et al, 2016;Fonseca et al, 2016;Diniz et al, 2022;Leite et al, 2022;Miguel et al, 2022). The only nematode species previously reported parasitizing H. nivetaus was Philometra sp.…”

“…Nematodes of the families Anisakidae and Raphidascarididae can be transmitted to humans, with fish acting as intermediate, paratenic or definitive hosts (Anderson, 2000). Anisakid and raphidascaridid nematode larvae have been reported parasitizing several marine fish species in Brazil (Knoff et al, 2007;Felizardo et al, 2009;Fontenelle et al, 2015;Fonseca et al, 2016;Diniz et al, 2022;Leite et al, 2022;Miguel et al, 2022). Audicana & Kennedy (2008) reported on the zoonotic potential of anisakid nematodes.…”