Resumen de Anisakid nematodes prevalence in Chilean hake (Merluccius gayi gayi) commercialized in the city of Talca, Chile

Alex Silva, María Teresa Rojas, Pamela Morales, Tamara Muñoz, Álvaro Machuca

• The main objective of this work was to determine the presence of anisakid larvae in fresh Chilean hake Merluccius gayi gayi coming from the coastal area near the city of Talca, Chile, commonly commercialized by a regional fish supply center located in the same city. Flesh and viscera of 214 fish were analyzed via direct observation, and the prevalence of parasitism was calculated. The results showed a prevalence of 100% and 24.3% in viscera and flesh, respectively. Morphologic characterization of 138 randomly selected larvae was performed via diaphanization technique, observing 106 larvae of Anisakis spp., 13 larvae of Pseudoterranova spp. and 19 nematodes classified as “unidentified.” All larvae here analyzed were viable based on the spontaneous movement ability of parasites. Overall, the high prevalence of fish infected with Anisakidae larvae highlights the importance of taking early intervention actions in order to prevent the occurrence of anisakidosis in the human Chilean population; particularly critical given the current culinary preference for raw fish dishes such as ceviche and sushi, which poses a public health issue.