A new species of Huffmanela (Nematoda: Trichosomoididae) parasitizing Colomesus psittacus (Tetraodontiformes) from Marajó Island, Pará State, Brazil / Uma nova espécie de Huffmanela (Nematoda: Trichosomoididae) parasitando Colomesus psittacus (Tetraodontiformes) da Ilha de Marajó, Pará, Brasil

Abstract The puffer fish Colomesus psittacus, is not commercialized on Marajó Island. They are captured as bycacth and discarded dead in the environment in artisanal fisheries that occur in the estuaries of northern Brazil. In this sense, the objective was to identify the parasites present in the gills and to evaluate the histopathological alterations caused by these nematodes of the genus Huffmanela. Fifty-five fish were analyzed, and thirty-five specimens showed the parasite in the gills. Morphological characteristics suggest that it is a new species of the genus Huffmanela, and the histopathological exams showed an edematous inflammation in the secondary lamella and the presence of eggs of this nematode, which is the first record of this parasite in C. psittacus in Brazil.

Resumo O baiacu amazônico Colomesus psittacus é um peixe de importância comercial para a aquariofilia, além de ser capturado como bycacth e descartado morto no ambiente nas pescarias artesanais que ocorrem nos estuários da região Norte do Brasil. Nesse sentido, objetivou-se identificar e descrever nematódeos do gênero Huffmanela em baiacus oriundos da ilha de Marajó, bem como as alterações histopatológicas causadas por eles. Cinquenta e cinco peixes foram analisados, e trinta e cinco espécimes apresentaram o parasita nas branquias. Características morfológicas sugerem tratar-se de uma nova espécie do gênero Huffmanela, e os exames histopatológicos demonstraram uma inflamação edematosa na lamela secundária e presença de ovos desse nematódeo. Esse fato se torna o primeiro registro desse gênero parasito em C. psittacus no Brasil.

Morphology and molecular phylogeny of Heterobothrium lamothei (Monogenea: Diclidophoridae), a gill parasite infecting the tiger puffer fish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Tetraodontidae) / Morfologia e filogenia molecular de Heterobothrium lamothei (Monogenea: Diclidophoridae), um parasita das guelras que infecta o peixe tigre pufferLagocephalus sceleratus (Tetraodontidae)

Members of the family Diclidophoridae are potentially dangerous species for the puffer fish aquaculture worldwide. They are parasitic polyopisthocotyleans, with a posterior haptor equipped with clamps for attachment to the host's surface, allowing the worm to resist the flow of water to maintain its position on gills. The anterior body of the worm is deformable, allows the worm to feed on blood sucked from fish gills. The present study is the first description of a Heterobothrium species from the gills of the tiger puffer Lagocephalus sceleratus (Tetraodontidae) from the coasts of the Arabian Gulf at Jubail, Saudi Arabia morphologically by light microscopy as well as by molecular analysis of the parasite partial 28S rRNA through multiple sequence alignments and phylogeny by maximum likelihood analysis which is provided for the first time for the described species. Seventeen tiger puffer fish were captured alive from marine water off Saudi Arabia; gills were separated and further examined for parasitic infection. Nine fish were found infected with a monogenean parasite which was robust, equipped by two buccal organs at the tapered anterior end; the posterior haptor was rectangular with four symmetrically arranged clamps, with no isthmus. Marginal hooks absent. Ovary elongated, U-shaped, testes numerous, irregularly shaped and extended from the posterior part of the ovary to the anterior margin of the haptor. Copulatory organ muscular, as a spherical cup armed with 12 to 15 genital hooks. The molecular analysis of the parasite 28s rRNA and phylogeny revealed a percentage of identities between 87.47-89.09%, with Diclidophoridae species within the monophyletic clade of Mazocraeidea where a maximum percentage of 89.09% were obtained for the morphologically different sister taxon H. okamotoi. The results obtained from molecular analysis are consistent with the conclusions drawn from morphological classification where that the parasite recorded was morphologically similar to H. lamothei which was not characterized by molecular analysis before. The recovered sequences were deposited into the GeneBank under accession number MT322610.(AU)

Os membros da família Diclidophoridae são espécies potencialmente perigosas para a aquicultura de peixes puffer em todo o mundo. Eles são parasitas poliopisthocotyleans, com uma hélice posterior equipada com pinças para fixação na superfície do hospedeiro, permitindo que o verme resista ao fluxo de água para manter sua posição nas brânquias. O corpo anterior do verme é deformável, e permite que o verme se alimente de sangue sugado das guelras dos peixes. O presente estudo é a primeira descrição de uma espécie Heterobothrium das guelras do tigre Lagocephalus sceleratus (Tetraodontidae) das costas do Golfo Arábico em Jubail, Arábia Saudita, usando morfologia por microscopia leve, bem como análise molecular do rRNA parcial do parasita 28S através de alinhamentos de sequências múltiplas e filogenia por análise de máxima verossimilhança que é fornecida pela primeira vez para as espécies descritas. Dezessete peixes tigre puffer foram capturados vivos da água marinha da Arábia Saudita; as brânquias foram separadas e mais tarde examinadas para detecção de infecção parasitária. Nove peixes foram encontrados infectados por um parasita monogênio robusto, equipado por dois órgãos bucais na extremidade anterior afilada; o hortetor posterior era retangular com quatro pinças dispostas simetricamente, sem istmo. Ausência de ganchos marginais. Ovário alongado, em forma de U, testículos numerosos, de forma irregular e estendido desde a parte posterior do ovário até a margem anterior do hortelino. Órgão copulatório muscular, como um copo esférico armado com 12 a 15 ganchos genitais. A análise molecular do parasita 28s rRNA e filogenia revelou uma porcentagem de identidades entre 87,47-89,09%, com espécies Diclidophoridae dentro do clade monofilético de Mazocraeidea onde uma porcentagem máxima de 89,09% foi obtida para o táxon-irmão morfologicamente diferente H. okamotoi. Os resultados obtidos da análise molecular são consistentes com as conclusões tiradas da classificação morfológica onde o parasita registrado era morfologicamente semelhante ao H. lamothei que não era caracterizado pela análise molecular antes. As sequências recuperadas foram depositadas no GeneBank sob o número de acesso MT322610.(AU)

Mangrove-associated fish assemblages off the southern Panama Bight region (tropical eastern Pacific)

The Panama Bight ecoregion (PBE) in the eastern Pacific contains probably the best developed mangrove forests in the American continent. Fishes inhabiting the mangrove-estuary mosaic play fundamental ecological roles and sustain the artisanal fishery operating there. Here, using data collected along ~300 km between 2012 and 2017, we examine the spatial dynamics of mangrove fish assemblages that undertake intertidal migrations in the southern part of the PBE (southern Colombian Pacific coast), where the largest and least disturbed mangroves of Colombia are located. Sixty-one fish species used intertidal mangrove habitats in these areas, constituting ~30% of all fishes inhabiting the whole mosaic of mangrove habitats in this ecoregion. Species within Clupeidae, Ariidae, Centropomidae and Tetraodontidae, all common in mangroves of the eastern Pacific, were the most dominant. Half of the fish species found are commercially important to the artisanal fishery. Differences in fish community structure could be related to salinity differences, but other environmental and ecological factors could also play a role in explaining these differences. A better understanding of the ecological role of mangrove fishes in the region could be gained by examining the ichthyofauna of other habitats within the mosaic and their trophic relationships.(AU)

La ecorregión del Panama Bight (EPB) en el océano Pacifico oriental contiene probablemente los bosques de manglar más desarrollados de America. Los peces que habitan el mosaico estuario-manglar juegan papeles ecológicos fundamentales y sostienen las pesquerías artesanales que operan allí. Usando datos colectados a lo largo de ~300 km entre 2012 y 2017, examinamos la dinámica espacial de ensamblajes de peces de manglar que realizan migraciones intermareales en el EPB sur (costa sur del Pacífico colombiano), donde se encuentran los manglares más grandes y menos intervenidos de Colombia. Sesenta y un especies de peces ingresaron en zonas intermareales de manglar, constituyendo ~30% de todos los peces que pueden ser encontrados en el mosaico de hábitats de manglar de esta ecoregión. Especies de Clupeidae, Ariidae, Centropomidae y Tetraodontidae, todas comunes en manglares del Pacífico oriental, fueron las más dominantes. La mitad de los peces encontrados son importantes comercialmente para la pesquería artesanal. Las diferencias en la estructura de la comunidad pueden estar relacionadas con diferencias en salinidad, pero otros factores ambientales y ecológicos podrían también jugar un rol explicando las diferencias encontradas. Un mejor entendimiento del rol ecológico de los peces de manglar de la región podría alcanzarse examinando la ictiofauna de otros hábitats de este mosaico y sus relaciones tróficas.(AU)

Cestoide trypanorhyncha Callitetrarhynchus gracilis (Rudolphi, 1819) Pintner, 1931 parasitando Balistes capriscus Gmelin, 1789 coletados no litoral do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil / Trypanorhyncha cestode Callitetrarhynchus gracilis (Rudolphi, 1819) Pintner, 1931 parasitizing Balistes capriscus Gmelin, 1789 collected off the coast of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

O controle de parasitos faz parte das inspeções oficiais de pescado, pois o consumo de espécimes parasitados pode oferecer risco à saúde humana. A presença de cestoides Trypanorhyncha causa aspecto repugnante que pode condenar o pescado como impróprio para consumo. Além disso, tem sido relacionados com potencial alergênico em modelo murino. Entre março e novembro de 2017 foram adquiridos 42 espécimes de Balistes capriscus Gmelin, 1789, peixe-porco, nos mercados do município de Niterói, Rio de Janeiro. Dos 42 peixes analisados, 4 estavam parasitados por plerocercos de Callitetrarhynchus gracilis (Rudolphi, 1819) Pintner, 1931 com prevalência de 10,5%, intensidade média de infecção de 1 parasito e a abundância média de 0,09. A presença desse cestoide ressalta sua importância higiênico-sanitária em B. capriscus.

Anatomical characterization of the digestive system of the pufferfish (Chilomycterus spinosus spinosus)

Descriptive studies of the fish digestive system are fundamental because they provide information on the biology of the species. Thus, the objective of this study was to morphologically describe the digestive system of the pufferfish, Chilomycterus spinosus spinosus. For this, adult specimens of pufferfish (n = 10) of both sexes were used. The animals were fixed with 10% aqueous formaldehyde solution, dissected, analyzed descriptively and photographed. The results demonstrate that the pufferfish has a morphologically modified digestive system, which is adapted to the defense behavior. This species presents a pouch-shaped diverticulum, that is called abdominal pouch, which allows the expansion of the celomatic cavity and the temporary storage of food. Although it is used to store food, macroscopically the abdominal pouch does not show gastric folds. However, this absence is compensated by a small intestine containing innumerable villi.

Cucullanus marajoara n. sp. (Nematoda: Cucullanidae), a parasite of Colomesus psittacus (Osteichthyes: Tetraodontiformes) in the Marajó, Brazil / Cucullanus marajoara n. sp. (Nematoda: Cucullanidae), um parasito de Colomesus psittacus (Osteichthyes: Tetraodontiformes) no Marajó, Brasil

Abstract Cucullanus marajoara n. sp. (Cucullanidae) is reported to parasitize Colomesus psittacus (Tetraodontiformes), which is a fish species from the Marajó Archipelago, state of Pará, estuarine region of the Brazilian Amazon. The new species differs from similar species by the presence of a protruding upper lip on the cloacal opening, the distribution of the cloacal papillae: five pre-cloacal papillae pairs and 5 are ventral and located posteriorly to the pre-cloacal sucker and an unpaired papilla is located on the upper cloacal lip and five post-cloacal pairs, and a pair of lateral phasmids located between papillae pairs. Additionally, Cucullanus marajoara n. sp. is compared to other species of this genus described in Brazil, particularly Cucullanus ageneiosus and Cucullanus oswaldocruzi, which both occur in the same zoogeographic region of this study but parasitize fish of a different order (Siluriformes). Cucullanus dodsworthi and Cucullanus brevicaudatus are the only described species parasitizing fish of the order Tetradontiformes in Brazil, and the new species differs from these species by the distribution of the cloacal papillae and the host habitat. The description of Cucullanus marajoara n. sp. adds data to the biodiversity of described parasites that parasitize Tetradontiformes of the estuarine ichthyofauna in the Brazilian Amazon.

Resumo Cucullanus marajoara n. sp. (Cucullanidae) é descrita parasitando Colomesus psittacus (Tetraodontiformes) peixe do arquipélago de Marajó, Estado do Pará, região estuarina da Amazônia brasileira. A nova espécie difere de seus congêneres por apresentar lábio superior da abertura cloacal protrudente e na distribuição de papilas cloacais: 5 pares pré-cloacais, e uma papila não pareada no lábio superior da cloaca e 5 pares pós-cloacais, um par de fasmídeos laterais. Além disso, Cucullanus marajoara n. sp. é comparada com outras espécies do gênero descritas no Brasil, em especial Cucullanus ageneiosus e Cucullanus oswaldocruzi, ambos parasitos de peixes da ordem Siluriformes; porém, ocorrendo na mesma região zoogeográfica deste estudo, diferem da ordem do hospedeiro da nova espécie (Tetraodontiformes). Cucullanus dodsworthi e Cucullanus brevicaudatus são as únicas espécies descritas parasitando peixe da ordem Tetradontiformes no Brasil, e a nova espécie difere dessas na distribuição das papilas cloacais e habitat dos hospedeiros. Cucullanus marajoara n. sp. adiciona dados a biodiversidade de parasitos descritos parasitando Tetradontiformes da ictiofauna estuarina da Amazônia brasileira.

Seasonal and ontogenetic diet patterns of the freshwater pufferfishColomesus asellus (Müller & Troschel, 1849) in the upper-middleTocantins River / Padrões sazonais e ontogenéticos da dieta do baiacu de água doce Colomesus asellus(Müller & Troschel, 1849) no alto-médio rio Tocantins

We described the feeding habits of Colomesus asellus from riverbanks of the upper-middleTocantins River, Central Brazil. Two sampling expeditions were carried out in August (dry season) and inOctober (rainy season) of 2013, downstream from the Lajeado Hydroelectric Power Plant, Tocantins state.The diet of C. asellus was characterized and compared between juveniles and adults and betweenindividuals captured in the dry season and in the rainy season. Individuals exhibited marked temporalsegregation, with a predominance of adults on the riverbanks during the dry season and the predominanceof juveniles in the rainy season. The diet of this species was based on diverse benthic prey, mostlyEphemeroptera nymphs (Insecta). Contrary to our expectations, the diet composition of C. asellus was notinfluenced by seasonal changes or ontogenetic factors, but the size of individuals determined the numberof prey consumed. Thus, C. asellus can be classified in its trophic ecology as an insectivore without relationwith fish size and seasonality.

Descrevemos os hábitos alimentares de Colomesus asellus capturados nas margens do rioTocantins, Brasil Central. Duas expedições de coleta foram realizadas em agosto (estação seca) e emoutubro (estação chuvosa) de 2013, a jusante da Usina Hidrelétrica de Lajeado, Estado do Tocantins. Adieta de C. asellus foi caracterizada e comparada entre juvenis e adultos e entre indivíduos capturados naestação seca e na estação chuvosa. Os indivíduos apresentaram marcada segregação temporal, compredominância de adultos nas margens do rio durante a estação seca e predominância de juvenis na estaçãochuvosa. A dieta desta espécie foi baseada em diversas presas bentônicas, principalmente ninfas deEphemeroptera (Insecta). Contrariamente às nossas expectativas, a composição da dieta de C. asellus não foiinfluenciada por mudanças sazonais ou fatores ontogenéticos, mas o tamanho dos indivíduos determinou onúmero de presas consumidas. Assim, a espécie pode ser classificada como insetívora, sem variação em suaecologia trófica relacionada à sazonalidade do ambiente ou ao seu tamanho.

Gnathostomatidae nematode parasite of Colomesus psittacus (Osteichthyes, Tetraodontiformes) in the Ilha de Marajó, Brazilian Amazon / Nematoide Gnathostomatidae parasito de Colomesus psittacus (Osteichthyes, Tetraodontiformes) na Ilha de Marajó, Amazônia Brasileira

Abstract The genus Gnathostoma comprises 17 species, whose adult specimens are found in the stomach serosa of animals that consume raw fish; some species of the genus are zoonotic agents. The present study describes the presence of a nematode (Gnathostomatidae) parasitizing the digestive tract of Colomesus psittacus in the Ilha de Marajó in the eastern Brazilian Amazon. Thirty specimens of C. psittacus were collected in the municipality of Soure, Ilha de Marajó, state of Pará, Brazil, transported to the laboratory, necropsied and the helminths were collected and fixed. Of the 30 fish that were studied, 16.67% were parasitized with nematodes. The nematode larvae found encysted in the intestinal serosa have anterior region with two lips, each with a pair of papillae; a cephalic bulb armed with six rows of discontinuous spines; four cervical sacs; a claviform esophagus; cuticular striations along the body; a simple excretory pore; and a short tail ending in a mucron. These morphological structures are diagnostic characters of the genus Gnathostoma, whose adults parasitize the stomach of carnivorous mammals and, rarely, the stomach of fish. However, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds are intermediate hosts of the third-stage larvae (L3), and humans may act as accidental hosts.

Resumo O gênero Gnasthostoma é composto por 17 espécies, sendo reportado o caráter zoonótico para algumas. Este trabalho descreve a presença de nematoide da família Gnathostomatidae, parasito do trato digestório de Colomesus psittacus, na Ilha de Marajó, Amazônia oriental brasileira, transportados para o laboratório, necropsiados os helmintos colhidos e fixados. Dos 30 animais analisadas 16,67% estavam parasitados por nematoides. As larvas de nematoides foram encontradas encistadas na serosa intestinal, apresentam na região anterior dois lábios com duas papilas cada, bulbo cefálico armado de 6 fileiras de espinhos descontínuos, quatro sacos cervicais, esôfago claviforme, estrias cuticulares ao longo do corpo, abertura anal simples, cauda curta, terminando em um mucron. A junção de todos esses caracteres morfológicos, são características diagnósticas para gênero Gnathostoma. Os indivíduos adultos são parasitos de estômago de mamíferos carnívoros e raramente de peixes, porém peixes, anfíbios, répteis e aves atuam como hospedeiros intermediários das larvas (L3) e o homem pode atuar como hospedeiro acidental.

Morphological Studies on the Gills of Puffer Fish (Lagocephalus sceleratus, Gmelin, 1789) / Estudios Morfológicos en Branquias del Pez Globo (Lagocephalus sceleratus, Gmelin, 1789)

In the present study, we focused on the morphology of L. sceleratus gills using gross anatomy, scanning electron microscopy as well as light microscopy. Results of this study revealed that the gill openings appeared as simple slits anterior to the pectoral fin without distinct opercular cover. The gill system consisted of three pairs of gill arches carrying two rows of gill rakers on its concave border and gill filaments on its convex border. SEM showed that all surfaces of the gill arch were characterized by the presence of the longitudinal ridges with many taste buds in addition to many spines around the rakers. Histologically, the gill arch was composed of curved bar of hyaline cartilage with slightly elevated area corresponding to the sites of gill rakers. Each filament was formed of a thin central cartilaginous core surrounded by peripheral cartilaginous matrix and covered by primary epithelial layer with abundant mucous cells. The chloride cells appeared mainly near to the base of secondary lamellae. Each gill filament gave rise to a very large number of secondary lamellae on both sides. The epithelial lining of the secondary lamellae comprised epithelial pavement cells, few mucous cells and pillar cells. The latter interposed the enriched blood capillaries. These findings suggest that L. sceleratus gills have characteristic morphological features that are related to adaptive functions for feeding habits, osmoregulation and respiratory mechanism with in their living environment.

El objetivo fue estudiar la morfología de las branquias de Sceleratus L. desde la anatomía macroscópica, microscopía electrónica de barrido, así como la microscopía de luz. Los resultados revelaron que las aberturas branquiales aparecían como simples rendijas por delante de la aleta pectoral sin una cubierta opercular distinta. El sistema branquial consistió en tres pares de arcos branquiales con dos filas de branquiespinas en sus filamentos branquiales frontales y cóncavos en el margen. La microscopía de barrido mostró que todas las superficies del arco branquial se caracterizaron por la presencia de crestas longitudinales con muchas papilas gustativas, además de una cantidad importante de espinas alrededor de los rastrillos. Histológicamente, el arco branquial se compone de una barra curva de cartílago hialino con una zona ligeramente elevada, correspondiente a los sitios de branquiespinas. Cada filamento se formó por un delgado núcleo central cartilaginoso rodeado de matriz cartilaginosa periférica y cubierto por una capa epitelial primaria con abundantes células mucosas. Las células de cloruro aparecieron principalmente cerca a la base de laminillas secundaria. Cada filamento de las branquias en ambos lados dio origen a un gran número de laminillas secundarias. El revestimiento epitelial de laminillas secundarias estaba formado de células epiteliales, algunas células mucosas y células sostenedoras. Estos hallazgos sugieren que las branquias de L. sceleratus tienen características morfológicas que están relacionadas con las funciones de adaptación de los hábitos de alimentación, la osmorregulación y el mecanismo respiratorio de acuerdo a su entorno.

Poisoning after ingestion of pufferfish in Brazil: report of 11 cases

In this brief communication the authors report eleven cases of human poisoning caused by ingestion of pufferfish meat. Three patients (two children and one adult) were seriously affected. The circumstances that precipitated the poisoning are discussed as well as the clinical aspects observed. No deaths were registered and the patients did not present sequelae after the episode.(AU)

Poisoning after ingestion of pufferfish in Brazil: report of 11 cases

In this brief communication the authors report eleven cases of human poisoning caused by ingestion of pufferfish meat. Three patients (two children and one adult) were seriously affected. The circumstances that precipitated the poisoning are discussed as well as the clinical aspects observed. No deaths were registered and the patients did not present sequelae after the episode.

The Clinical Features and Prognostic Factors in Adults with Acute Etrodotoxin Poisoning Caused by Ingesting Puffer Fish

PURPOSE: We conducted this study in order to determine clinical features and prognostic factors in adults with acute tetrodotoxin (TTX) poisoning caused by ingestion of puffer fish. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 107 patients were diagnosed with TTX poisoning. The subjects were divided into two groups according to duration of treatment; Group I, patients were discharged within 48 hours (n=76, 71.0%), Group II patients were discharged after more than 48 hours (n=31, 29.0%). Group II was subsequently divided into two subgroups [IIa (n=12, 11.2%), IIb (n=19, 17.8%)] according to the need for mechanical ventilation support. RESULTS: In multivariable logistic regression analysis, the predictors of the need for treatment over 48 hours were dizziness (odds ratio [OR], 4.72; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.59-12.83), time interval between onset of symptom and ingestion (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.16-0.97), PaCO2<35 mmHg (OR, 8.37; 95% CI, 2.37-23.59). In addition, predictors of the need for mechanical ventilation were a time interval between onset of symptoms and ingestion (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.11-0.96) and PaCO2<35 mmHg (OR, 5.65; 95% CI, 1.96-18.66). CONCLUSION: Overall, dizziness, time interval between onset of symptoms and ingestion, DeltaDBP and PaCO2<35 mmHg predict the need for treatment over 48 hours, time interval between onset of symptoms and ingestion and PaCO2<35 mmHg predict the need for mechanical ventilation support after acute TTX poisoning.

Anatomopathological study of parrot pufferfish Colomesus psittacus parasitized by the aspidogastrean Rohdella sp / Estudo anatomopatológico do peixe baiacu papagaio Colomesus psittacus parasitado pelo aspidogastrea Rohdella sp

Aspidogastrea are globally-distributed parasites of the class Trematoda, which have been described as pathogens of a range of aquatic organisms, in marine and freshwater environments. The principal morphological characteristic of the group is an adhesive ventral disc, which is responsible for fixing the parasite to the host organism. In this study, 112 specimens of Colomesus psittacus from the municipality of Cametá, in the state of Pará (Brazil), were necropsied. Platyhelminthes of the genus Rohdella attached to the mucous membrane of the fish's intestine by the adhesive disc were observed. Fragments of parasitized tissue were fixed in Davidson solution and then processed and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. Other fragments were fixed in glutaraldehyde, processed and observed under a scanning electron microscope. The prevalence of the parasite was 76.4%, mean intensity of infection was 8.0 and mean abundance was 6.2. The parasitism provoked chronic enteritis with diffused inflammatory infiltration. The adherence of the parasite to the mucous membrane of the intestine resulted in strangulation and hyperplasia of the region, as well as causing hypertrophy of the muscle of the mucous membrane. The present study describes the anatomopathological and ultrastructural aspects of the parasitism of the intestine of C. psittacus by Rohdella sp.

Os Aspidogastreas são parasitos da classe Trematoda, distribuídos globalmente e têm sido descritos como patógenos em uma gama de organismos aquáticos de ambientes marinhos e de água doce. A principal característica morfológica do grupo é um disco adesivo na região ventral responsável pela fixação do parasito no organismo hospedeiro. Neste estudo, 112 espécimes de Colomesus psittacus provenientes do município de Cametá, no estado do Pará (Brasil), foram necropsiados. Foram observados platelmintos do gênero Rohdella aderidos à mucosa intestinal através do disco adesivo. Fragmentos de tecido com parasito foram fixados em solução de Davidson e processados e corados em Hematoxilina-Eosina. Outros fragmentos foram fixados em glutaraldeído, processados e observados em microscopia eletrônica de varredura. A prevalência parasitária foi de 76, 4%, intensidade média de infecção de 8,0 e abundância média de 6,2. O parasitismo ocasionou uma enterite crônica com difuso infiltrado inflamatório. A fixação do parasito na mucosa intestinal provocou estrangulamento e hiperplasia da região, bem como hipertrofia da muscular da mucosa. O presente trabalho descreve os aspectos anatomopatológicos e ultra-estruturais da ação parasitária por Rohdella sp. no trato intestinal de C. psittacus.

A Case of Hemoperitoneum due to Spontaneous Rupture of Visceral Artery Aneurysm after Ingestion of Puffer Fish / 대한구급학회지

Ingestion of puffer fish can cause intoxication, which produces a wide range of symptoms due to the presence of neurotoxins, such as tetrodotoxin, in puffer fish. Abdominal pain is just one of the symptoms that should be treated with symptomatic and supportive therapy. This study reports a case of a 56-year-old male patient with abdominal pain, who was admitted to the emergency room with a diagnosis of puffer fish poisoning. In this case, the abdominal pain did not improve, but rather, the symptoms worsened. Finally, the cause of the abdominal pain was found to be hemoperitoneum due to active bleeding at the greater omentum, as observed on abdominal computed tomography; the source of bleeding was the right colic artery branch. Embolization was performed successfully, and the post-intervention course was uneventful. The patient was discharged without any complications within 13 days after admission.

Transient Diabetes Insipidus Associated with Tetrodotoxin Intoxication: A Case Report

Ingestion of puffer fish can result in severe and potentially lethal intoxication, referred to as tetrodotoxin intoxication. Tetrodotoxin is a potent neurotoxin well known for its ability to ability neuromuscular function. Tetrodotoxin is a specific and potent blocker of axonal sodium channel; it may block sodium channels in the axon of the neurons of the neurohypophysis, thereby inhibiting the release of vasopressin and causing diabetes insipidus neurotoxin. To our knowledge, previous report on diabetes insipidus causing tetrodotoxin is the only one case in Singapore. A married couple (69-year-old man and 57-year-old woman) ingested two green rough-backed puffer fish (Lagocephalus lunaris). They complained of paresthesia on perioral area and extremity and developed not only grade IV intoxication but also an increased urine output (4455 ml/day and 5035 ml/day), elevated serum sodium (157.4 mEq/L and 166.7 mEq/L) and elevated serum osmolality (324 mosmol/kg and 339 mosmol/kg), which suggested the development of diabetes insipidus. The administration of desmopressin nasal spray was successful in normalizing urine volume. Both were discharged on 20th and 18th hospital day, respectively, without any complications.

A Series of Cases of Fukuda Classification Grade IV Tetrodotoxin Poisoning due to Ingestion of Tetrodotoxin from Puffer Fish

Ingestion of the eyes and many of the internal organs of puffer fish can result in severe and potentially lethal intoxication, but there is little available information regarding the results of grade IV tetrodotoxin (TTX) intoxication. Thus, we retrospectively reviewed and analyzed the clinical characteristics of ventilator therapy patients and those suffering respiratory failure after ingestion of TTX from puffer fish, who were admitted to our hospital from January 2002 to May 2011. Of the total patients evaluated, we observed seven cases of Fukuda classification grade IV TTX poisoning. All patients were discharged without any complications within 5-26 days after admission.

Reproducción del pez erizo, Diodon holocanthus (Pisces: Diodontidae) en la plataforma continental del Pacífico Central Mexicano

Reproduction of the Spiny Puffer, Diodon holocanthus (Pisces: Diodontidae) in the continental shelf of Mexican Central Pacific. Diodon holocanthus is an important economic and ecological species of the demersal fish community, caught as bycatch from local shrimp fishery. The reproductive biology of this longspine porcupinefish has not yet been described, and reproductive season, the sex ratio, length distribution, length at first gonad maturity, and the gonad macro and microscopic features are described. A total of 400 organisms, ranging from 5.0 to 40.3cm (average 18.4cm) total length, were caught from the continental shelf of the Central Mexican Pacific, from December 1995 and December 1998. Sex ratio was 1:0.86 females to males (n=253). The length at which 50% of the individuals showed maturing gonads was 19.7cm for females and 20.1cm for males. Length of the smallest organism with ripe gonads was 12.2cm for females and 13cm for males. Four gonadal maturation stages were found in both sexes, and five oocyte development phases were identified. The oocyte development pattern is of asynchronous type, which means the species can reproduce several times a year. Testicle development is lobular type, as in most teleost fishes. Monthly mean values of the gonad-somatic index suggest the reproduction activity peaks in June, and September-December. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (1): 217- 232. Epub 2011 March 01.

Diodon holocanthus es una especie con cierta importancia comercial y ecológica en la comunidad de peces que forma la fauna de acompañamiento del camarón en la plataforma continental del Pacífico central Mexicano, y de la cual no se conocen aspectos reproductivos. Por lo cual se obtuvieron el periodo de reproducción, la descripción macro y microscópica de las gónadas, además de variables poblacionales como: distribución de tallas, proporción sexual y talla de madurez. En total se capturaron alrededor de 400 organismos, los cuales presentaron una talla mínima de 5.0cm, máxima de 40.3cm y promedio de 18.4cm, y fueron capturados en la plataforma continental en el Pacífico central Mexicano, desde diciembre de 1995 a diciembre de 1998. La proporción sexual fue de 1:0.86 hembras por machos (n=253). La talla a la cual el 50% de individuos presentó gónadas maduras fue 19.7cm en las hembras y 20.1cm en los machos. Los organismos con las menores tallas que presentaron gónadas en fase de maduración midieron 12.2cm (hembras) y 13cm (machos). En ambos sexos el desarrollo de la gónada se determinó con base en una escala de maduración de cuatro estadios. En el proceso de maduración de los ovocitos se identificaron cinco fases de desarrollo. El patrón de desarrollo de los ovocitos es de tipo asincrónico, lo que significa que la especie se puede reproducir varias veces al año. El desarrollo del testículo es de tipo lobular como en la mayoría de los peces teleósteos. El índice gonadosomático sugiere que el periodo de reproducción se concentra en los meses de junio, y de septiembre a diciembre.

Clinical Analysis of Puffer Fish Poisoning Cases

PURPOSE: Ingestion of puffer fish can be poisonous due to the presence of potent neurotoxins such as tetrodotoxin (TTX) found in its tissues. There are few clinical reports related to TTX. We performed this study to evaluate the clinical characteristics of TTX poisoning. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of the 41 patients diagnosed with TTX poisoning who visited the Seoul Asan medical center from July 2004 and December 2010. A review of patients'electronic medical records and patient telephone interviews were conducted. Diagnosis of TTX poisoning was confirmed by observing the casual link between puffer fish consumption and the development of typical TTX intoxication symptoms. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients included in the study was 46.6 years. The highest incidence of intoxication was observed in patients in their 50s (10 patients). Seasonal distribution of intoxication events included 10 in spring, 7 in summer, 10 in fall, and 14 in winter. In most cases, symptoms occurred within 1 hour of ingestion. A wide range of symptoms were associated with puffer fish ingestion affecting multiple body systems including neuromuscular (27 patients), gastrointestinal (19 patients), and cardiopulmonary/vascular (19 patients). All patients were treated with symptomatic and supportive therapy and recovered completely, without sequelae, within 48 hours. In three cases, ventilator support was required. CONCLUSION: TTX poisoning is not seasonally related, and patients admitted to the emergency room were observed with a wide range of symptoms. Where TTX poisoning is diagnosed, supportive therapy should be performed. Early intubation and ventilation is important, especially is cases of respiratory failure.

Cambios alimenticios en tres especies de Sphoeroides (Tetraodontiformes: Tetraodontidae) posterior al huracán Isidoro en Bocana de la Carbonera, Sureste del Golfo de México

Feeding changes for three Sphoeroides species (Tetraodontiformes: Tetraodontidae) after Isidore hurricane impact in Carbonera Inlet, Southeastern Gulf of Mexico. The coexistence of ecologically similar species may occur because of resources distribution, such as prey and habitat type and segregation time, that minimizes the interspecific competition. The changes brought about by Hurricane Isidore in the distribution of food resources by three coexisting fish species of the family Tetraodontidae (Sphoeroides nephelus, S. spengleri and S testudineus), were analyzed at the Carbonera Inlet. Sphoeroides spp. based their food on benthic organisms; principally, they consume mussels (Brachidontes sp.), barnacles (Balanus sp.) and gastropods (Crepidula sp). Before hurricane impact, the three species share the available food resources in different proportions (bivalves, gastropods, barnacles and decapods), according to different strategies that enabled them to coexist and reduce interspecific competition. After the impact, the abundance of available prey decreased and the interespecific competition for food increased, leading to S. testudines and S. nephelus change their trophic spectrum (xiphosurans, amphipods, isopods and detritus) and displacing S. splengleri of the inlet. The distribution of food resources was conditioned by the abundance and diversity of prey, as well as the adaptive response of each species. Rev. Biol. Trop. 58 (4): 1223-1235. Epub 2010 December 01.

Se analizan los cambios producidos por el huracán Isidoro en la repartición de los recursos alimenticios de tres especies de peces de la familia Tetraodontidae (Sphoeroides nephelus, S. spengleri y S testudineus) que cohabitan en la Bocana de la Carbonera (sureste del Golfo de México). Los Sphoeroides spp. basaron su alimentación en los organismos bentónicos, sobresaliendo por su consumo el mejillón (Brachidontes sp.), la lapa (Balanus sp.) y gasterópodos (Crepidula sp.). Previo al impacto del huracán, las tres especies utilizaron de forma diferencial los recursos alimenticios disponibles (bivalvos, gasterópodos, cirrípedos y decápodos) recurriendo a diferentes estrategias que les permitieron minimizar la competencia interespecífica y coexistir. Posterior al impacto, la disponibilidad de las presas disminuyó y la competencia interespecífica por el alimento se incrementó provocando que S. testudineus y S. nephelus cambiaran su espectro trófico (xiphosuros, anfípodos, isópodos y detritus) desplazando a S. spengleri de la bocana. La repartición de los recursos alimenticios estuvo condicionada por la abundancia y diversidad de las presas así como la respuesta adaptativa de cada especie.

Nematoides anisaquídeos e cestoides Trypanorhyncha de importância em saúde pública em Aluterus monoceros (Linnaeus, 1758) no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil / Larvae of Anisakidae nematodes and Trypanorhyncha cestodes of public health importance in Aluterus monoceros (Linnaeus, 1758) in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Entre maio e agosto de 2006, foram adquiridos 100 espécimes de peixe-porco, Aluterus monoceros em estabelecimentos de pescado nos municípios de Niterói e Rio de Janeiro. Os peixes foram medidos, necropsiados, filetados e seus órgãos analisados. Foram encontrados 16 peixes parasitados por larvas de nematoides anisaquídeos pertencentes às espécies Anisakis sp. e Contracaecum sp., com prevalência de 1 e 16 por cento, intensidade média de 2 e 3,31 e abundância média de 0,02 e 0,53, respectivamente. Duas larvas de Anisakis sp. foram encontradas no mesentério de um peixe; e de Contracaecum sp. no fígado e mesentério, com amplitude de variação da intensidade de infecção de 1 a 9. Cinquenta e um peixes mostravam-se parasitados no fígado e mesentério por cestoides da ordem Trypanorhyncha. As espécies colhidas foram Floriceps saccatus e a Callitetrarhynchus speciosus, com a prevalência de 45 e 6 por cento, intensidade média de 3,17 e 2,83, variando de 1 a 20 e 1 a 5, e abundância média de 1,43 e 0,06, respectivamente. Larvas de Anisakis sp. e essas duas espécies de Trypanorhyncha foram registradas pela primeira vez parasitando A. monoceros.

One hundred specimens of unicorn leatherjacket, Aluterus monoceros purchased from markets of municipalities of Niterói and Rio de Janeiro from May to August 2006. The fishes were measured, necropsied, fileted and analysed their organs. Sixteen fishes were parasitized by nematode Anisakidae: Anisakis spp. and Contracaecum sp. with respectively, 1 and 16 percent of prevalence, 2 and 3.31 of mean intensity, and 0.02 and 0.53 of mean abundance. Two larvae of Anisakis sp. were found in mesentery of one fish and Contracaecum sp. was found in liver and mesentery with 1 to 9 specimens of range of infection. Fifty-one fishes were parasitized on the liver and mesentery by metacestodes of Trypanorhyncha. The collected species were Floriceps saccatus and Callitetrarhynchus speciosus with respectively, 45 and 6 percent of prevalence, 3.17 and 2.83 of mean intensity, and 1.43 and 0.06 of mean abundance, the range of infection by F. saccatus was 1 to 20 and by C. speciosus was 1 to 5. Anisakis sp. and these two species of Trypanothyncha were reported in A. monoceros for the first time.