Hematodinium sp. infection in Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus and its effects on meat quality

Abstract

Hematodinium and Hematodinium-like species have emerged in the last 3 decades as important parasitic pathogens of crustaceans worldwide, causing a significant economic loss to fisheries and related markets. In some species (notably the Tanner crab Chionoecetes bairdi), the parasite reportedly causes the cooked meat to taste bitter and aspirin-like. The bitter taste, together with the gross pathology of the infection, renders these crabs unmarketable. Surprisingly, no organoleptic tests have ever been conducted to date, and the cause for the bitter taste is still unknown. Nevertheless, it is generally assumed that the bitter taste occurs widely in cooked meats and products derived from crustaceans infected with Hematodinium. In the present study, we analysed the meat quality and organoleptic attributes after capture and during storage of Norway lobsters Nephrops norvegicus from Scottish waters that were either asymptomatic or symptomatic of patent Hematodinium infection. Results from the sensory evaluation of the cooked product indicate that tail meat from symptomatic N. norvegicus is bland in flavour and aftertaste, and more friable or sloppier in texture than meat from asymptomatic animals. As a consequence, infected meat tends to be less palatable, although surprisingly no bitter taste is reported. From an analytical point of view, tail meat from patently infected animals is at an advanced stage of autolysis, while no difference in microbial load is detected. These results suggest that Norway lobsters heavily infected with Hematodinium are of inferior marketing quality even after the tails have been cooked.

Loss of Nucleosomal DNA Condensation Coincides with Appearance of a Novel Nuclear Protein in Dinoflagellates

“…Hematodinium sp. is also a marine parasite that causes significant economic damage to decapod crustacean fisheries [25,26]. Its nuclei contain a small number of permanently condensed chromosomes but are otherwise uncharacterized [17].…”

Hematodinium sp. infection does not drive collateral disease contraction in a crustacean host

“…Hematodinium spp. outbreaks can wreak havoc on blue crab populations in the USA ( Messick, 1994 ; Messick and Shields, 2000 ; Shields et al, 2003 ), cultured decapods in China ( Huang et al, 2021 ; Li et al, 2021 ; Coates and Rowley, 2022 ), and represent a persistent scourge on langoustine fisheries in Scotland ( Albalat et al, 2016 ; Albalat et al, 2012 ). Although the infectivity and pathobiology of Hematodinium spp.…”

“…Epizootics of Hematodinium spp. can devastate localised communities, fishery and aquaculture industries with langoustines, shrimp, and blue crabs representing some of the >40 known susceptible marine beasties ( Albalat et al, 2016 ; Albalat et al, 2012 ; Davies et al, 2019a ; Li et al, 2013 ; Messick and Shields, 2000 ; Rowley et al, 2015 ; Shields et al, 2003 ; Small, 2012 ; Small et al, 2012 ; Small et al, 2006 ; Smith et al, 2015 ; Stentiford et al, 2001 ; Stentiford and Shields, 2005 ; Wilhelm and Mialhe, 1996 ). Signs of infection include carapace and blood (haemolymph) discolouration from the aggressive proliferation of parasite morphotypes within the liquid and solid (hepatopancreas) tissues, and lethargy caused by metabolic exhaustion (e.g., hypoproteinaemia).…”

Environment, rather thanHematodiniumparasitization, determines collateral disease contraction in a crustacean host

“…Hematodinium spp. outbreaks can wreak havoc on blue crab populations in the USA (Messick, 1994; Messick and Shields, 2000; Shields et al, 2003), cultured decapods in China (Huang et al, 2021; Li et al, 2021) and represent a persistent scourge on langoustine fisheries in Scotland (Albalat et al, 2016, 2012). Although the infectivity and pathobiology of Hematodinium spp.…”

“…Epizootics of Hematodinium spp. can devastate localised communities, fishery and aquaculture industries with langoustines, shrimp, and blue crabs representing some of the >40 known susceptible marine beasties (Albalat et al, 2016, 2012; Davies et al, 2019a; Li et al, 2013; Messick and Shields, 2000; Rowley et al, 2015; Shields et al, 2003; Small, 2012; Small et al, 2012, 2006; Smith et al, 2015; Stentiford et al, 2001; Stentiford and Shields, 2005; Wilhelm and Mialhe, 1996). Signs of infection include carapace and blood (haemolymph) discolouration from the aggressive proliferation of parasite morphotypes within the liquid and solid (hepatopancreas) tissues, and lethargy caused by metabolic exhaustion (e.g., hypoproteinaemia).…”