Occurrence of Anisakis pegreffii (Nematoda: Anisakidae) Larvae in Imported John Dory (Zeus faber) from Senegalese Coast Sold in Turkish Supermarkets

Background West African goatfish Pseudupeneus prayensis , bluespotted seabream Pagrus caeruleostictus and John Dory Zeus faber are commercially marketed as fresh and frequently imported from Senegalese coast (FAO area 34.3.12) in Turkish supermarkets. Purpose The aim of the current study was to collect data of occurrence and molecular identification of Anisakis species in imported P. prayensis , P. caeruleostictus and Z. faber caught in the Senegalese coast and to support epidemiological report for a risk evaluation of Anisakis species in Turkish supermarkets. Methods Forty imported fish from each species at a total of 120 samples were investigated for the presence of Anisakis larvae. Based on ITS region of RFLP analysis Anisakis larvae were identified and randomly selected five larvae were also sequenced for further confirmation for cox2 gene. Results No Anisakis larvae were isolated from P. prayensis , P. caeruleostictus whereas Anisakis larvae were only found in Z. faber . A total of 156 Anisakis larvae were collected from Z. faber . All larvae were molecularly identified as Anisakis pegreffii . The prevalence (%), intensity and abundance of Anisakis infection in Z. faber were detected to be 82.5%, 8.3 and 6.8, respectively. Conclusion This is the first assessment of the occurrence of A. pegreffii in imported Z. faber from the Senegalese coast in Turkish supermarkets. Moreover, consuming imported P. prayensis and P. caeruleostictus present low to non-existent risk for anisakiasis in Turkish consumers. Furthermore, the presence of A. pegreffii larvae in imported Z. faber from the Senegal waters could have public health implications in Turkish consumers.