| Occurrence of Anisakis spp. in Pagellus bogaraveo from the Mediterranean: Ecological and Zoonotic Insights |
| Paper ID : 1271-IGA |
| Authors |
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Lamia Lablack *1, Fatima Benhamou2, Douniazed Merzoug3 1Higher School of Biological Sciences of Oran (HSBSO). Algeria
Environmental Surveillance Network Laboratory (LRSE). 2Université Aboubekr belkaid. Département d écologie et environnement. Tlemcen 3University of Oran 1 Ahmed Ben Bella, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Department of Biology, Environmental Monitoring Network Laboratory. |
| Abstract |
| Nematodes of the genus Anisakis are of notable ecological and medical significance. They contribute to marine food web dynamics but also represent a zoonotic hazard, as humans may become accidental hosts through the consumption of raw or undercooked fish, leading to anisakiasis. This study investigated the occurrence, prevalence, and morphological identification of Anisakis larvae in Pagellus bogaraveo from the Mediterranean Sea and assessed their public health implications. A total of 315 specimens of P. bogaraveo were examined. The gastrointestinal tract and visceral cavity were dissected to recover larvae. Morphological identification was performed using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), following Berland’s (1961) classification criteria distinguishing type I and type II larvae based on ventricle morphology and the presence of a posterior mucron. In P. bogaraveo, type I larvae showed a prevalence of 10.16%, mean abundance of 0.22, and mean intensity of 2.19 (32 infected fish). Type II larvae were less frequent, with 1.59% prevalence, mean abundance of 0.02, and mean intensity of 1.20 (5 infected fish). Larvae were localized in the stomach, intestine, caeca, liver, mesenteries, and visceral cavity. SEM confirmed diagnostic features, including anterior boring teeth and posterior mucron structures. This study provides the first record of Anisakis spp. in P. bogaraveo from the Mediterranean Sea. The higher prevalence of type I larvae highlights interspecific differences in host–parasite associations. Beyond ecological insights, the results emphasize the zoonotic potential of Anisakis spp., whose life cycle involves crustaceans as first intermediate hosts, fish and cephalopods as paratenic hosts, and marine mammals as definitive hosts. Humans, as accidental hosts, may develop gastrointestinal or allergic anisakiasis. These findings highlight the importance of molecular confirmation to refine species identification and better evaluate risks for food safety and public health. |
| Keywords |
| Anisakis, Pagellus bogaraveo, Interactions hôte–parasite, Anisakidose, Zoonose |
| Status: Accepted |
