Experimental Susceptibility of Gilthead Sea Bream,Sparus aurata,via Challenge withAnisakis pegreffiiLarvae
The endoscopic and histopathological findings detected inSparus aurataexperimentally infected with third-stageAnisakislarvae without intermediate host are evaluated and discussed. In six fish, live nematode larvae were introduced by gastroscopy into the stomach. The first observation by endoscope, 15 days after challenge, showed the presence of some larvae at the level of gastric mucosa. An explorative celioscopy, performed 60 days after challenge, showed haemorrhages and/or nodules on the gut of two fishes. Necropsy and histology demonstrated parasites in the context of the tissue changes. The finding of live nematode larvae as well as the evidence of tissue change confirm the experimental susceptibility of gilthead sea bream towardsAnisakis.