Molecular characterization of sp. (Digenea: Microphallidae) parasitic in freshwater crabs of Manipur, India.

Freshwater crabs (), commonly consumed as local delicacies by the native people in the state of Manipur, were found to harbour metacercariae of sp. (Family Microphyllidae), which were morphologically different from metacercariae of spp reported earlier from different regions. So, PCR-based molecular characterization of this metacercaria was done utilizing rDNA marker regions: larger subunit (LSU) or 28S (D1-D3 region) and inter-transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2).

A survey of metacercarial infections in commonly edible fish and crab hosts prevailing in Manipur, Northeast India.

Food-borne trematode infections, which are mainly transmitted through consumption of inadequately cooked or raw fish and crabs, affect a large section of population, particularly in Southeast Asian countries, thus eliciting a remarkable morbidity and causing serious damage to health. In India, centering in several mountainous regions of the Northeast, the natives have the habit of consuming such fish or crabs that still sustain viable infective larval stage (metacercaria) of trematode flukes in their muscle tissue. The present study was undertaken to ascertain the spectrum of metacercarial diversity in commonly edible freshwater fishes and crab species in the northeastern state of Manipur and to adjudge their zoonotic potential, if any.