Identification of estuarine fish Dormitator latifrons as an intermediate host and Eleotris picta as a paratenic host for Gnathostoma binucleatum in Sinaloa, Mexico

• Published in: Parasitology research (1987) 2008-11, Vol.103 (6), p.1421-1425
• Main Authors: Díaz-Camacho, Sylvia Páz, de la Cruz-Otero, Ma. del Carmen, Zazueta-Ramos, Magda Luz, Bojórquez-Contreras, Angel, Sicairos-Félix, Josefina, Campista-León, Samuel, Guzmán-Loreto, Roberto, Delgado-Vargas, Francisco, León-Règagnon, Virginia, Nawa, Yukifumi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Body Weight; Brackish water ecosystems; DNA, Helminth - analysis; Fish Diseases - parasitology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; General aspects and techniques. Study of several systematic groups. Models; Gnathostoma - classification; Gnathostoma - genetics; Gnathostoma - isolation & purification; Gnathostoma - pathogenicity; Host-Parasite Interactions; Immunology; Invertebrates; Medical Microbiology; Mexico; Microbiology; Molecular Sequence Data; Original Paper; Perciformes - classification; Perciformes - parasitology; Perciformes - physiology; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Species Specificity; Spirurida Infections - parasitology; Spirurida Infections - veterinary; Synecology
• ISSN: 0932-0113; 1432-1955
• DOI: 10.1007/s00436-008-1151-9

Gnathostomosis is a typical fish-borne zoonotic parasitosis and is currently a serious public health issue in Mexico. Among several Gnathostoma species present in wild animals in Mexico, Gnathostoma binucleatum is the only proven species responsible for human diseases, and the advanced third stage larvae (AL3) of G. binucleatum have been found in over 20 species of fish in this country. In Sinaloa State, two fish species, Dormitator latifrons and Eleotris picta , were heavily contaminated with G. binucleatum AL3. When we analyzed the relationship between the size of the fish and the density of infection with G. binucleatum AL3, the distribution patterns of AL3 were markedly different between these two fish species. Apparent size-dependent accumulation was observed in E. picta but not in D. latifrons , suggesting that E. picta is a paratenic host whereas D. latifrons is a second intermediate host.