Ricerc@Sapienza

Background: Larval stages of the sibling species of parasitic nematodes Anisakis simplex (sensu stricto) (s.s.) (AS) and
Anisakis pegreffii (AP) are responsible for a fish-borne zoonosis, known as anisakiasis, that humans aquire via the
ingestion of raw or undercooked infected fish or fish-based products. These two species differ in geographical
distribution, genetic background and peculiar traits involved in pathogenicity. However, thus far little is known of

The occurrence of zoonotic parasitic nematodes in Atlantic chub mackerels (Scomber colias syn. Scomber japonicus) from Libyan waters was investigated, using epizootiological estimations and molecular specific characterization of larvae. Nematodes belonging to Anisakis spp., the main etiological agent of anisakiasis in Mediterranean waters, and to Hysterothylacium spp. so far considered not pathogenic to humans, were detected.