Main parasitic zoonosis transmitted by fish - a review

Abstract

Parasitic zoonosis transmitted by fish are an ever growing problem which calls the attention of researchers and public health authorities because of the health problems caused to the population after raw / rare fish consumption. In Brazil, dishes based on raw fish, such as "sushi" and "sashimis" are greatly consumed because of the influence of oriental culinary. Data show that there are zoonotic parasites in both Brazilian fresh and sea water fish. However, up to the present, there are no reports of human parasitism in Brazil (except for fagicolosis). It is believed that this statistics are related to the absence of diagnosis rather than the absence of the illness itself. Among diseases transmitted to man by fish consumption are anisakiasis; strongyloidiasis; capilariasis; fagicolosis; clonorkiasis and diphylobotriasis, among others. The most important measure to prevent new cases of parasitism is to avoid the consumption of raw / rare fish. There is a1so the need of educating the population, presenting the potential risk of raw fish consumption and to develop good techniques of inspection and processing of fish infected with parasite, in order to offer healthy and safe food for this population.