AI Article Synopsis
- The genus includes blood-feeding parasites that infect various marine species, such as cephalopods and swordfish.
- A study analyzed 83 swordfish hearts from the Mediterranean Sea, finding that 10 (12.05%) were infected with copepods.
- The infected hearts exhibited severe inflammation and thickening of the atrial wall, highlighting an unusual localization of the parasites in the heart, which will be further studied through histopathology and genetic methods.
Article Abstract
The genus comprises hematophagous parasites of marine aquatic species, including cephalopods, marine mammals, and pelagic fish. Nine species have been officially included in the genus plus another six . They are most often found in the host's musculature, without penetrating internal organs. For the present study, 83 hearts from swordfish () caught in the Mediterranean Sea were sampled and immediately fixed in formalin for histopathological analysis. In total, 10 (12.05%) hearts were found to be parasitized by copepods of the genus . Macroscopically, there was mild-to-severe fibrinous pericarditis with atrial wall thickening and multiple parasitic nodules. Histologically, the parasitic nodules were surrounded by an inflammatory-necrotizing reaction. Parasitic infestation by spp. is common in pelagic fish and in swordfish, in particular. Here, however, we report atypical cardiac localization. A future area of focus is the evaluation of cardiac spp. infestation by histopathology and genetic identification of the parasites.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8231167 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani11061757 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!