https://hdl.handle.net/10481/49491 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:48:41 GMT 2026-04-16T16:48:41Z https://hdl.handle.net/10481/89497 Survey of parasitization by Anisakis simplex, etiological agent of the human anisakiasis, in sardines Molina Fernández, Dolores; Hidalgo Hidalgo, Verónica; Soria Soto, Manuel; Malagón Martínez, David; Martín Sánchez, Joaquina; Benítez Rodríguez, Rocío; Adroher Auroux, Francisco Javier This epidemiological survey has been carried out in order to know the parasitization by Anisakis simplex in sardines (Sardina pilchardus) and determine the risk of human anisakiasis by raw, marinated or undercooked sardine consumption. https://hdl.handle.net/10481/89497 https://hdl.handle.net/10481/89496 In vitro cultivation of Anisakis simplex, causal agent of the human anisakiasis Soria Soto, Manuel; Molina Fernández, Dolores; Hidalgo Hidalgo, Verónica; Adroher Auroux, Francisco Javier; Benítez Rodríguez, Rocío; Malagón Martínez, David We are developing a cultivation method with the aim to achieve the complete lifecycle of Anisakis in the laboratory using only culture media. We study the development, ecdysis and survival of A. simplex to know the factors that are involved in the growth and survival of this parasitic nematode. The use of calf’s liver infusion in the media for cultivation of Anisakis simplex causes a positive effect since M4 molting occurs earlier, and it also increases the survival and the size of the worms. https://hdl.handle.net/10481/89496 https://hdl.handle.net/10481/89438 Peptidases in parasitic nematodes: A review Malagón Martínez, David; Benítez Rodríguez, Rocío; Kašný, Martin; Adroher Auroux, Francisco Javier The nematodes are, after the insects, the group of organisms with the largest number of species identified. They include members of great medical, veterinary and agricultural significance, making this group one of the most important animal parasites. However there are many gaps in our knowledge of them. For example, there is still not a single nematode species for which we have detailed knowledge of feeding, digestion and nutritional requirements, showing that there are still many aspects to be learned about nutrition in nematodes [1]. Our understanding of the process of protein digestion, a very important function in the biology of any organism, is still poor since our knowledge is composed of fragmentary data for different groups of nematodes. It is believed that peptidases are essential during the development process and in the most critical moments of parasite-host interactions, and are thus directly involved with the growth and survival of the parasite. Their identification and characterization are important for basic understanding of the biology of the parasite, and their relevance to parasitic nematodes as virulence factors is clear. Consequently, peptidases are currently viewed as potential targets for vaccines, drugs and serodiagnosis. Despite this, in most cases, the precise physiological functions of peptidases in parasites are not known [2]. Peptidases comprise a large class of hydrolytic enzymes in parasitic nematodes, participating in nutrition through digestion of host proteins [3]. They also act in the moulting and resorption of the cuticle by processing and activating proenzymes or prohormones [4], degrading proteins that anchor the epidermis to the underlying cuticle (apolysis) [5], or by digesting the cuticle for resorption or facilitating its shedding (ecdysis) [6]. They are also active during embryonic development of the egg [7]. Peptidases are important in host-parasite relationships, being important virulence factors in some parasites [8]. The pathogenicity of several species of nematode has been significantly correlated with their peptidase activity. These include Strongyloides stercoralis [9], Anisakis simplex [10], Onchocerca volvulus [11], Trichinella spiralis [12], and Ancylostoma caninum [13]. All major types of peptidases have been described in nematodes. Aspartic peptidases have been described primarily in functions related to the digestion of nutrients. In invertebrates it is thought that, along with the cysteine peptidases, these have the same role as aspartic and serine peptidases in vertebrates [14]. In parasitic nematodes, the cysteine peptidases may be the class for which we have most information, since, owing to their great diversity, they cover virtually all functions in which peptidases are involved in parasitic nematodes. Cathepsins B and L are types of cysteine peptidases belonging to the papain family, and have been comprehensively studied in nematodes [15]. High variability has been found among the cathepsins B from different species of nematodes regarding optimum temperature and pH, and substrate affinity. It is thought that their main role is to digest nutrients and that the high interspecific variability observed is due to the nematode adapting to the ecological niche it occupies [16]. Cathepsins L also seem to be involved in the digestion of nutrients, as well as in processes of embryogenesis and moulting [2]. Many of these cathepsins L have counterparts in the free living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, suggesting that they may be involved in conserved functions in different species of nematodes, but little is known about their precise functions [7]. The metallopeptidases are involved in the invasion of host tissues by the parasite, as they are able to degrade the extracellular matrix, and are also involved in the process of ecdysis and digestion of nutrients. The serine peptidases are also present in nematodes, and, along with the metallopeptidases, are believed to play the largest part in the invasion of host tissues by the parasites [10]. Open Access. See Acknowledgements section: Publishing of this work was supported by The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic (KONTAKT II, Grant No. LH12096). https://hdl.handle.net/10481/89438 https://hdl.handle.net/10481/89413 Hysterothylacium aduncum Adroher Auroux, Francisco Javier; Benítez Rodríguez, Rocío Hysterothylacium aduncum is a nematode parasite of fish with a worldwide distribution. It has a complex life cycle in aquatic, mainly marine, environments, involving a wide variety of invertebrates, in addition to fish. The presence of this parasite, particularly in the third larval stage (L3), in fish of commercial importance, represents not only an aesthetic problem (due to its size and, at times, abundance, it is visible to the naked eye in the visceral cavity of the fish) but also a sanitary problem which may result in significant financial losses. In addition to its effects on the health of the parasitized fish, ingestion of these larvae with the fish can affect human health, resulting in anisakiasis/anisakidosis or the appearance of allergic symptoms. Consequently, further studies of this parasite, now facilitated by the development of axenic culture methods, are required in order to reduce the economic and sanitary impact of the parasite. The method described in this chapter used L3 from the host fish as the inoculum. Following their isolation and axenization they were cultivated either individually or in groups, depending on intended use, until they attained the state of sexually mature adults. When both sexes were cultivated together, after fertilization, the females produced fertile eggs which developed to form L3 in their interior and, occasionally, to hatch. Open Access. Downloadable from: https://5mbooks.com/fish-parasites-chapter-21 or https://doi.org/10.52517/9781789181531.021. Book ISBN: 9781789181333. https://hdl.handle.net/10481/89413 https://hdl.handle.net/10481/86606 13. Integrating information on the role of mosquitoes for the transmission of pathogens of wildlife Gutiérrez-López, Rafael; Logan, James; Martínez-de la Puente, Josué Traditionally, mosquitoes have been studied given their relevance as vectors of pathogens that affect humans. However, in recent decades, their relevance as vectors of pathogens that affect wildlife has become evident. For this reason, multidisciplinary research disciplines have been developed focusing on the ecology, epidemiology and evolution of the interactions between pathogens and their hosts, including the transmission dynamics of diseases. However, there is a gap in the knowledge of mosquito-borne pathogens that affect wildlife, being necessary to study the taxa diversity, using genomic tools and, of course, their life cycles and their vectors. However, the information on the vector competence of mosquitoes for the transmission of pathogens that affect wild animals is certainly scarce. Interspecific and intraspecific differences have been evidenced. This would determine the capacity of mosquitoes to transmit parasites that infect wild animals. Different factors such as physiological and biochemical processes, or the mosquito microbiota could determine these differential capacities of mosquitoes to transmit pathogens. https://hdl.handle.net/10481/86606