Opisthorchiids, Heterophyids and Aquaculture: A Brief Review
R Bhar*, J Paul, AB Gamit, PK Nanda and S Bandyopadhyay
Published: ay 30, 2022
Abstract
Fish borne zoonotic trematodes (FZTs) affect millions of people worldwide especially in Asian countries and are of considerable economic importance because of their various degrees of morbidity and economic losses. They are normally transmitted to the definitive host by consumption of raw or improperly cooked fish harbouring viable metacercariae. The life cycle is complex which requires two intermediate hosts (snails & fish) and one definitive host (human). Interestingly, they can also complete their life cycle in the hosts other than the humans (reservoir hosts) which play a great role to maintain the infection in the environment. Diagnosis is mainly done by demonstration of eggs and adult parasites from infected definitive or reservoir host and recently, it is complemented by molecular techniques. These trematodes are mostly prevalent in the countries with traditional aquaculture practices. So, proper aquaculture practices should be followed and the production of parasite free fish for human consumption should be a key objective for the aquaculture industry. This review summarizes the global status, life cycle pattern, pathology, diagnosis and also some recommendations for prevention and control of the fish borne zoonoses.