Zoonotic Parasites in Hoplosternum littorale Acquired in the Market of Santa Clara, in the City of Iquitos, Loreto-Peru

Morey G.A.M.; Llanos S.G.R.; Chu L.A.R.; Dreyfus A.C.T.; Solsol L.A.G.; Sánchez R.F.C.; Calizaya E.Y.L. · Acta Parasitologica (2025) · DOI: 10.1007/s11686-025-01019-w

Resumen

Purpose: The present study aims to report zoonotic parasites in Hoplosternum littorale (Hancock, 1828), acquired in a fish market in the Peruvian Amazon. Methods: Forty specimens of H. littorale with an average size of 12.3 ± 2.5 cm and weight 58.3 ± 10 g were acquired in the “Santa Clara” Market, in the city of Iquitos, Loreto-Peru. Fish samples were taken alive, placed in plastic bags with water, and transported to the laboratory of “Parasitologia y Sanidad Acuicola” of “Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonia Peruana” in Iquitos, Peru for analyses. Results: Two groups of endoparasites were identified: Trematoda, with specimens of Clinostomum sp. parasitizing the musculature and skin, and Nematoda, with specimens of Eustrongylides sp. parasitizing the intestine. Conclusions: The findings of the present study constitute a health risk in the event of accidental ingestion of any of these parasites. Socialization campaigns on the dangers of raw or undercooked fish consumption should be implemented by the competent authorities to guarantee the health of the Amazonian population. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana; Universidad Nacional de Moquegua