Potential risk of fish-borne nematode infections in humans in Brazil – Current status based on a literature review

A literature survey identified a variety of potentially zoonotic fish-borne nematode species in both marine and freshwater hosts which are common throughout Brazil. The few cases of fish-borne zoonotic nematodioses reported in humans in Brazil are summarized, and the possible routes of infection are...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: J.C. Eiras, G.C. Pavanelli, R.M. Takemoto, M.U. Yamaguchi, L.C. Karkling, Y. Nawa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2016-12-01
Series:Food and Waterborne Parasitology
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405676616300087
Description
Summary:A literature survey identified a variety of potentially zoonotic fish-borne nematode species in both marine and freshwater hosts which are common throughout Brazil. The few cases of fish-borne zoonotic nematodioses reported in humans in Brazil are summarized, and the possible routes of infection are discussed, such as the importance of restaurants specialized in dishes containing raw or undercooked fish. The difficulties of diagnosing of human infections with fish-borne nematodes in Brazil are reviewed. Requirements for an integrated approach to avoid the infection are discussed. It is concluded that, a) human fish-borne nematodiosis may constitute a problem of public health in Brazil; b) effective regulations to prevent the infection should be adopted; c) people must refrain from eating raw or undercooked fish dishes; and d) an intensive campaign alerting people about the feeding risk behaviors shoul be undertaken. Keywords: Fish-borne nematodes, Human infection, Zoonosis, Public health, Brazil
ISSN:2405-6766