Larval ascaridoid nematodes in horned and musky octopus (Eledone cirrhosa and E. moschata) and longfin inshore squid (Doryteuthis pealeii): Safety and quality implications for cephalopod products sold as fresh on the Italian market.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence, infection level and distribution of ascaridoid larvae in cephalopod products sold in Italy. Data on the species most commonly commercialized as whole and fresh on the Italian market were collected. After comparing commercial and literature data, Eledone spp., comprising E. cirrhosa and E. moschata (horned octopus and musky octopus, respectively) and Doryteuthis pealeii (longfin inshore squid) were selected, as they had been rarely investigated. Overall, 75 Eledone spp. caught in the Mediterranean Sea (FAO area 37) and 70 D. pealeii from the Northwest Atlantic Ocean (FAO area 21) were examined by visual inspection and artificial digestion (viscera and mantle separately). Parasites were submitted to morphological and molecular analysis. Prevalence (P), mean intensity (MI) and mean abundance (MA) were calculated. In D. pealeii, 2 nematode larvae molecularly identified as Anisakis simplex s.s. were found in the viscera and in the mantle of two specimens (P: 2.9% 95% CI: 0-6.8%; MI: 1; MA: 0.028). In Eledone spp. 9 nematode larvae molecularly attributed to Hysterothylacium spp. were found in the mantle of 5 specimens (P: 6.7% 95% CI: 1-12.3%; MI: 1.8; MA: 0.12). This is the first report of A. simplex s.s. in D. pealeii. Considering the zoonotic and allergenic potential of these larvae and their localization also in the edible part (mantle), a potential public health issue exists.

Trichinella nativa in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) of Germany and Poland: possible different origins.

In Germany and Poland, the high population density of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is considered a public health risk since this wild canid is one of the main reservoirs of Trichinella spp. In 2010 in Poland, a program to monitor the prevalence of Trichinella spp. in the red fox population was launched. After two years, Trichinella spp. larvae were detected in 44 (2.7%) out of 1634 foxes tested. In Germany in the period 2002-2011, Trichinella spp. larvae were in 27 foxes. The Trichinella species detected were: T. spiralis in 15 foxes from Germany (one co-infection with Trichinella britovi and one with Trichinella pseudospiralis) and in 9 foxes from Poland; T. britovi in 8 and 32 foxes from Germany and Poland, respectively; and T. pseudospiralis in 1 fox from Germany. The arctic species Trichinella nativa was detected in 3 foxes from Germany (one co-infection with Trichinella spiralis) and in 1 fox from Poland. The detection of T. nativa outside its known distribution area opens new questions on the ability of this Trichinella species to colonize temperate regions.