S.C. São Clemente

Anisakidae nematodes and Trypanorhyncha cestodes of hygienic importance infecting the king mackerel Scomberomorus cavalla (Osteichthyes: Scombridae) in Brazil.

From February to October 2007, thirty specimens of the king mackerel, Scomberomorus cavalla (Cuvier, 1829) were purchased from markets in the municipalities of Niterói and Rio de Janeiro. The fishes were measured, filleted and further had their organs investigated for helminths. Ten out of the thirty fish specimens were parasitized with anisakid nematodes represented by Anisakis sp. and Contracaecum sp. with prevalence of 1% and 16%, mean intensity of 2 and 3.31 and mean abundance of 0.02 and 0.53, respectively. The infection range with Contracaecum sp. was 1-9. The sites of infection were the stomach serosa and mesentery. Seventeen fish specimens (53%) out of the 30 investigated were parasitized with Trypanorhyncha metacestodes, identified as Callitetrarhynchus gracilis, Pterobothrium crassicole, Callitetrarhynchus speciosus and Tentacularia coryphaenae in the mesentery, with prevalence of 26, 20, 6, 3%, intensity and mean intensity of 3.25, 3.5, 1, 2 and mean abundance of 0.86, 0.7, 0.06 and 0.06, respectively. The infection range due to C. gracilis and P. crassicole were of 1-5 and 1-20, respectively. Anisakis sp., C. speciosus and P. crassicole are reported in S. cavalla for the first time. Considerations on the zoonotic potential of the parasites and their rules in sanitary inspection are presented.

Total mercury in sharks along the southern Brazilian Coast

Pesquisou-se a concentracao de mercurio total na porcao muscular de 39 exemplares de tubaroes de tres diferentes especies Prionace glauca, Isurus oxyrhynchus, Sphyrna zygaena, capturados na costa sul do Brasil, Santa Catarina. O teor de mercurio foi determinado por espectrofotometria de absorcao atomica por vapor frio. Observou-se ampla variacao na concentracao de mercurio total com valor individual maximo excedendo o limite estabelecido pela legislacao brasileira, de 1.0µg.g-1 em um exemplar femea de P. glauca. Nessa especie, a concentracao de Hg-total aumentou proporcionalmente ao comprimento total (r=0,62; P<0,0001). Nao foi evidenciada diferenca estatisticamente significativa entre exemplares femeas e machos.

Distribuição do metal mercúrio em atum (Thunnus albacares) e pescada bicuda (Cynoscion microlepidotus) capturados no litoral do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

The mercuric kinetic in organs, muscular tissue, and stomach contents of two species of marine fish predators was evaluated by the identification of the places showing higher accumulation of the metal. For the analytical process, the used technique was cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. The results demonstrated that the distribution of Hg in the analyzed portions presented wiede dispersion. For Thunnus albacares, the variation was of 0.004µg.g-1 in the liver, gills and spleen, and 0.172µg.g-1 in the muscular tissue. For Cynoscion microlepidotus, the variation was between 0.013µg.g-1 in gills and 0.250µg.g-1 in muscular tissue. The latter was the portion of higher concentration of this metal in both species, T. albacares = 0.080±0.050µg.g-1 and C. microlepidotus = 0.187±0.030µg.g-1, while less concentrations were found in the gills (0.029±0.031µg.g-1) in C. microlepidotus and in the eyes (0.013±0.008µg.g-1) in T. albacares.

Experimental anisakid infections in mice.

Anisakidosis is a human parasitic disease caused by infections with members of the Anisakidae family. Accidental infection after fish intake affects the gastrointestinal tract as a consequence of mechanical damage caused by migrating larvae. Infections can also trigger allergies, hives, severe asthma or anaphylaxis with angioedema. Although mouse models of intraperitoneal antigenic stimulation exist, enabling immunological studies, few models using gastric introduction of live larvae are available for the study of immunological and gastrointestinal damage in mice. This study was designed to characterize serum reactivity against Anisakis spp. and Contracaecum spp. in Balb/c mice following orogastric inoculation and to assess gastrointestinal damage. These anisakid species were classified at the Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF) School of Veterinary Medicine and materials for live larval inoculation were developed at the UFF Immunobiology laboratory. Live larvae were inoculated following injection with a NaCl solution. Blood samples were collected and sera screened for immunoglobulin (Ig)E and IgG anti-larva responses to both nematodes, specific for somatic and excretory/secretory antigens, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The means of the optical densities were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukeys post-hoc test and the general linear model. This analysis identified the presence of anti-IgG seroreactivity to both somatic and excretory/secretory Anisakis antigens in inoculated animals compared with controls (P< 0.001), and no gastric or intestinal damage was observed. These experiments demonstrated that introduction of live Contracaecum spp. into the gastrointestinal tract did not elicit serum sensitization in animals.

The taxonomy of some Poecilacanthoidea (Eucestoda: Trypanorhyncha) from elasmobranchs off the southern coast of Brazil

Specimens of elasmobranchs, collected in the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil, were parasitized with Poecilacanthoidea trypanorhynch cestodes. Sharks of the species Prionace glauca harboured Callitetrarhynchus gracilis and Floriceps saccatus, and those of the species Sphyrna zygaena were infected with Callitetrarhynchus speciosus. Details of the proglottids of F. saccatus, provided by bright-field, and/or scanning electron microscopy, are described. Adults of F. saccatus are reported for the first time in the Brazilian coast.

Development and bacteriological, chemical and sensory characterization of fishburgers made of Tilapia minced meat and surimi

In this study fishburger samples obtained from tilapia minced meat and surimi retrieved from fillet frames - filleting process waste - have been assessed. Four different preparations of fishburger were made. Chemical analyses was performed for protein, lipids, moisture and ash assessments, as well as bacteriological analyses through mesophilic aerobic heterotrophic and psychrotrophic bacteria counts, isolation and identification of Salmonella spp., coagulase-positive Staphylococcus and fecal coliforms. Instrumental measurements were also carried out for texture and tested sensory acceptance. The costs of the ingredients used in the preparation of formulas were also assessed. Microbiological standards, established by current regulations, were met by all samples. No significant gap (P>0.05) was detected among the percentage of protein, moisture and ashes, while a significant gap (P<0.05) was verified for lipids. A significant gap (P<0.05) for the instrumental measurements of texture was also observed. Both surimi and minced meat fishburger presented good acceptance on sensory tests for taste, texture and overall impression. The use of smoked fish flavoring and surimi caused a considerable increase in costs due to ingredient acquisition. This study shows a positive result for the industrialization and consumption potential of fishburgers made of minced fish retrieved from fillet frames.

Resposta imunológica a antígenos de Hysterothylacium deardorffoverstreetorum de peixes teleósteos

Anisaquidosis is a disease caused by parasites of Anisakidae family and is characterized by gastrointestinal and allergic reactions. The Anisakis simplex is a more pathogenic Anisakidae to humans and is highly allergenic. However, other species of this family also have characteristics that are harmful to humans, but little is known about the immunogenicity this parasites. The objective of this study was to experimentally assess the immunogenic potential of the parasite Hysterothylacium deardorffoverestreetorum (H.D) in mice. Mice of inbred BALB/c strain were divided into three groups and received three immunizations of the following antigenic preparations obtained from L3 larvae H.D: Crude larval extract of H.D (CEH) Extract secreted / excreted larvae H.D. (ESH) and crude extract of larvae after excretion / secretion (EEH). Serum samples were obtained on different days after immunization to determine the levels of circulating specific antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results show increased production of immunoglobulin (Ig) G after the second immunization with a gradual increase after the third immunization. Regarding IgE reactivity, this occurred later, demonstrating a progressive increase only after the third immunization. Cellular immunity was evaluated by intradermal, and showed statistically significant result compared to the control used. This experiment is the first description of the pathogenic potential of this parasite in mammals and represents a breakthrough in the diagnosis of human Anisakidosis.

Spontaneous multi-cystic peripheral ameloblastoma in the freshwater angelfish, from the Brazilian state of Pará

Este trabalho registra a ocorrencia espontânea de ameloblastoma em P. scalare. O tumor foi obtido a partir de um exemplar de Acara Bandeira, sendo fixado, seccionado, e os fragmentos processados para microscopia de luz e microscopia eletronica de varredura (MEV). O exame macroscopico evidenciou uma massa tumoral que se estendia do rebordo alveolar do maxilar superior a face externa labial. A MEV, a neoplasia apresentou uma serie de espiculas. Microscopicamente, percebia-se um processo neoplasico constituido por tecido conjuntivo de caracteristica mixoide, ricamente vascularizado, onde eram observados fragmentos de tecido osteoide. A amostra revelou proliferacao neoplasica do epitelio odontogenico, onde as celulas neoplasicas se organizavam na forma de palicada. Alteracoes histopatologicas em peixes tem sido uteis biomarcadores do efeito a exposicao a substâncias toxicas, sendo as neoplasias lesoes especificas, comumente encontradas em peixes de areas poluidas, revelando uma associacao entre as lesoes e a exposicao a irritantes.

Cestodes Diphyllobothriidea parasitizing blackfin goosefish, Lophius gastrophysus Miranda-Ribeiro, 1915

Entre os meses de marco de 2000 e dezembro de 2005, 87 especimes de L. gastrophysus foram obtidos de supermercados e empresas de exportacao localizadas nos municipios de Cabo Frio, Niteroi, Duque de Caxias e Rio de Janeiro. Os peixes foram necropsiados, filetados e seus orgaos investigados para presenca de helmintos. Dois especimes (2,3%) estavam parasitados por plerocecoides de Diphyllobothrium Cobbold, 1858 na cavidade abdominal e serosa do intestino, com intensidade media de um parasito por peixe e abundância media de 0,02, mostrando baixo potencial infectivo. Este e o primeiro registro de plerocercoides de Diphyllobothrium sp. no peixe sapo-pescador.

Philometra saltatrix (Nematoda: Philometridae) in the ovary of the bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus, 1766), off the coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The aims of the present study were to identify and describe the occurrence of nematode parasites in the gonads of bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix from off the coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Only females were found to be parasitized by the nematodes, which were identified as P. saltatrix using morphological, morphometric and molecular data. Infection of female bluefish by this nematode had the following values: prevalence, 48.7%; mean intensity, 2.6; mean abundance, 1.3; and range of infection, 1-10 specimens. Histopathological examination of transverse and longitudinal sections of the parasitized ovaries showed nematodes at different stages of development among oocytes, but no indication of any associated inflammatory reaction. The presence of nematodes in the ovaries of bluefish is an important indication of fish hygiene, and parasitized fish are usually rejected by consumers because of their repugnant appearance.