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Biology, epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of selected fish-borne parasitic zoonoses

Cong, Wei; Elsheikha, Hany M.

Biology, epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of selected fish-borne parasitic zoonoses Thumbnail


Authors

Wei Cong



Abstract

Fish-borne parasites have been part of the global landscape of food-borne zoonotic diseases for many decades and are often endemic in certain regions of the world. The past 20 years or so have seen the expansion of the range of fish-borne parasitic zoonoses to new geographic regions leading to a substantial public health burden. In this article, we summarize current knowledge about the biology, epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and control of selected fish-borne helminthic diseases caused by parasitic roundworm (Anisakis), tapeworm (Dibothriocephalus), and fluke (Metagonimus). Humans acquire infection via consumption of raw or improperly cooked fish or fish products. The burden from these diseases is caused by morbidity rather than mortality. Infected patients may present with mild to severe gastrointestinal (eg, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and indigestion) or allergic manifestations. Patients are often admitted to the hospital or clinic with acute symptoms and no prior health problems and no travel history. Diagnosis is often established based on the detection of the diagnostic parasite stages (eg, eggs or tapeworm segments) in the patient’s feces. Sometimes imaging is required to exclude other causes and avoid unnecessary surgery. Dibothriocephalus and Metagonimus are mainly treated with praziquantel. Extraction of adult Dibothriocephalus or Anisakis larvae from the bowel ensures complete elimination of the parasites and prevents a relapse of infection. The development and implementation of more efficient food safety and public health strategies to reduce the burden of zoonotic diseases attributable to fish-borne parasites is highly desirable.

Citation

Cong, W., & Elsheikha, H. M. (2021). Biology, epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of selected fish-borne parasitic zoonoses. Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, 94(2), 297-309

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jun 9, 2021
Online Publication Date Jun 30, 2021
Publication Date Jun 1, 2021
Deposit Date Jul 10, 2021
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine
Print ISSN 0044-0086
Electronic ISSN 1551-4056
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 94
Issue 2
Pages 297-309
Keywords Anisakiasis, Diphyllobothriasis, Metagonimiasis, Fish-borne zoonoses Author Contributions: WC: Data collection; Resources; Writing -review & editing HME: Conceptualization; Data collection; Resources; Writing -review & editing
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5769087
Publisher URL https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34211350/

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