A Rare Human Helminth Infection in Russia

The first case of human invasion by Clinostomum complanatum in the European part of Russia

The article presents a rare case of human invasion by the trematode Clinostomum complanatum in the European part of Russia. The diagnosis was established based on a parasitological study of flukes removed from the tonsils and pharynx of a 42-year-old woman, a resident of the Tambov region of Russia.

Re-evaluation of certain aspects of the EFSA Scientific Opinion of April 2010 on risk assessment of parasites in fishery products, based on new scientific data. Part 1: ToRs1-3

Surveillance data published since 2010, although limited, showed that there is no evidence of zoonotic parasite infection in market quality Atlantic salmon, marine rainbow trout, gilthead seabream, turbot, meagre, Atlantic halibut, common carp and European catfish. No studies were found for greater amberjack, brown trout, African catfish, European eel and pikeperch. Anisakis pegreffii, A. simplex (s. s.) and Cryptocotyle lingua were found in European seabass, Atlantic bluefin tuna and/or cod, and Pseudamphistomum truncatum and Paracoenogonimus ovatus in tench, produced in open offshore cages or flow-through ponds or tanks. It is almost certain that fish produced in closed recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) or flow-through facilities with filtered water intake and exclusively fed heat-treated feed are free of zoonotic parasites. Since the last EFSA opinion, the UV-press and artificial digestion methods have been developed into ISO standards to detect parasites in fish, while new UV-scanning, optical, molecular and OMICs technologies and methodologies have been developed for the detection, visualisation, isolation and/or identification of zoonotic parasites in fish. Freezing and heating continue to be the most efficient methods to kill parasites in fishery products. High-pressure processing may be suitable for some specific products. Pulsed electric field is a promising technology although further development is needed. Ultrasound treatments were not effective. Traditional dry salting of anchovies successfully inactivated Anisakis. Studies on other traditional processes - air-drying and double salting (brine salting plus dry salting) - suggest that anisakids are successfully inactivated, but more data covering these and other parasites in more fish species and products is required to determine if these processes are always effective. Marinade combinations with anchovies have not effectively inactivated anisakids. Natural products, essential oils and plant extracts, may kill parasites but safety and organoleptic data are lacking. Advanced processing techniques for intelligent gutting and trimming are being developed to remove parasites from fish.

The Occurrence of Freshwater Fish-Borne Zoonotic Helminths in Italy and Neighbouring Countries: A Systematic Review

In recent years, the consumption of fish products has surged in European countries, being an essential part of a healthy diet. Despite representing a small part of EU production, freshwater fisheries hold considerable significance for lake-dwelling populations and tourists seeking traditional dishes. This increased fish consumption has brought to light potential health risks associated with fish-borne zoonotic helminths (FBZHs), now acknowledged as global food-borne parasites. Fish-borne zoonotic helminths belong to various taxonomic groups, including nematodes (Anisakidae), trematodes (Opisthorchiidae and Heterophyidae), and cestodes (Diphyllobothriidae). More than 50 species of FBZH are known to cause human infections, derived from eating raw or undercooked aquatic foods containing viable parasites. Despite increased attention, FBZHs remain relatively neglected compared to other food-borne pathogens due to factors like chronic disease progression and under-diagnosis. This systematic review concentrates on the prevalence of six freshwater FBZHs (Clinostomum complanatum, Contracaecum rudolphii, Dibothriocephalus latus, Eustrongylides excisus, Opisthorchis felineus, and Pseudamphistomum truncatum) in Italy and neighbouring countries. The study explores the expansion of these parasites, analysing their biological and epidemiological aspects, and the factors that influence their proliferation, such as the increased cormorant population and the lake eutrophication phenomena. In summary, this research highlights the necessity for further research, the development of spatial databases, and the establishment of a unified European policy to effectively manage these multifaceted health concerns. It strongly advocates adopting a One-Health approach to address the growing incidence of parasitic zoonoses within the context of food safety in EU countries.