Histological changes in the liver of merluccius by anisakis larvae

ABSTRACT

Larval nematodes belonging to the genus Anisakis is redescribed from Merluccius merluccius from Egypt. The larvae are characterized by the presence of a lip mass surrounding the mouth opening and a tail spine at its post. end. The alimentary canal is simple without oesophageal appendix or intestinal caecum. The average length of the larva and that of the oesophagus with its two portions are also included. This parasite is reported here on account to record its new locality. Histological examination of normal fish liver demonstrated a diffused pancreatic tissue composed of pancreatic acini and islets of Langerhans. The hepatic parenchymal cells are arranged in strands enclosing a network of sinusoids in between. Histopathologic studies of liver infected with Anisakis larvae revealed a hypertrophy in parenchymal cells and necrosis in the nuclei. Some capsules enclosing larvae were also observed. Histochemically, a significant decrease in lipids and acid mucopolysaccharides was noted in infected hepatic cells in comparison with normal liver tissue