First report of metazoan fish parasites with zoonotic potential in Scomberomorus brasiliensis and Trichiurus lepturus from the coastal waters of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Abstract

The present study analysed samples of Serra Spanish mackerel, Scomberomorus brasiliensis and largehead hairtail, Trichiurus lepturus captured from the coastal waters of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, with a view to verify the occurrence of metazoan parasites related to public health in these fish and determine the parasitic indices and sites of infection. In S. brasiliensis, 28 nematode specimens of Contracaecum fortalezae were encountered in the branchial chamber and gonads with 20% prevalence. Besides 24 trematode specimens of Didymocystys sp. were found in the tegument, muscles and branchial chamber with 40% prevalence. In T. lepturus, a nematode Hysterothylacium sp. was found in the intestine, with a prevalence of 33.33% and 641 digenetic specimens of Catarinatrema verrucosum were found in the tegument, branchial chamber and stomach, with a prevalence of 100%. The occurrence of the parasitic members of the family Anisakidae and the digenetic trematodes of the families Hemuridae and Didymozoidae have zoonotic potential and are related to public health since the fish hosts are of commercial importance.