Anisakine Nematodes in Fresh Commercial Fish From Waters Along the Washington, Oregon and California Coasts

Abstract

Two thousand and seventy four fresh fish representing 24 genera and 43 species were purchased from commercial marine fisheries in Washington, Oregon and California. They were examined for anisakine nematodes by dissection, candling or digestion of the muscle and elution of the viscera. Thirty thousand and thirty-two anisakine nematodes were recovered from the fish examined; however, no anisakine nematodes were recovered from the shellfish examined. Both Anisakis sp. and Phocanema sp., which are considered pathogens for human consumers of raw or semiraw fish, were encountered. Of the anisakines. Anisakis sp. larvae were found in a greater number of the fish hosts examined than Phocanema sp. larvae, which were found in fewer fish hosts and at lower incidence. The higher incidence of Anisakis sp. larvae was probably due to the large population of whales, the host in which this species reaches maturity. The lower incidence of Phocanema sp. larvae is a reflection of the small population of seals, the definitive host for this species.