Review article

https://doi.org/10.46419/vs.54.1.5

Fish eustrongylidosis: Review Article

Dražen Oraić ; Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivana Giovanna Zupičić ; Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
Snježana Zrnčić ; Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Nematodes of the genus Eustrongylides can infect many fish species inhabiting freshwater and marine ecosystems worldwide. All species of these parasites described in fish have indirect life cycles and fish are the second intermediate hosts or paratenic hosts, and the prey of fish-eating birds, as the definite hosts. Eustronoglydes are typically coiled, smooth, and relatively long worms that are red in colour due to the presence of haemoglobin. A large number of parasite larvae in fish can cause severe forms of the disease, affecting the fertility of some species and increasing mortality. The best method for diagnosis of fish eustrongylidosis is necropsy of several affected individuals, and identification of the parasite by their morphological characteristics and position in the fish. It is necessary to exclude other fish parasites, including flatworms, segmented tapeworms, monogenean and digenean flukes and acanthocephali. To prevent eustrongylidosis in fish, the parasite life cycle must be interrupted in one of the developing stages, which requires removing any of the intermediate or final hosts. For farmed fish, pond sanitation is important in preventing fish infection. Fish eustrongylides have been identified as causative agents of infection in humans as accidental hosts, and although a small number of clinical cases have been described, eustrongylidosis is a recognized zoonosis. To prevent human infection, it is recommended to avoid consuming of raw fish and raw fish products. An effective method of killing parasites is freezing and heat treatments, under well-defined conditions.

Keywords

Eustrongylidosis; Eustrongylides spp.; fish; parasite; zoonosis

Hrčak ID:

273746

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/273746

Publication date:

25.5.2022.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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