title: Experimental comparison of pathogenic potential of two sibling species Anisakis simplex s.s. and Anisakis pegreffii in Wistar rat.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There are little data available on the pathology caused by the sibling species Anisakis simplex s.s. and Anisakis pegreffii. The differences shown in their ability to penetrate the muscle of fish may also be manifested in humans. The purpose of this study is to confirm possible differences in pathogenicity between A. simplex s.s. and A. pegreffii using an experimental model which simulates infection in humans.
  
  
  METHODS
  Female Wistar rats were infected with 190 Anisakis type I L3 larvae from the Iberian coastline. After the animal was sacrificed, these L3 larvae were then recovered and identified via PCR-RFLP of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2. A logistic regression analysis was performed searching for association between experimental pathogenic potential and species.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The distribution of A. simplex s.s. and A. pegreffii between Atlantic and Mediterranean waters of the Iberian Peninsula showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.001) which were not observed in the hybrid genotypes (P > 0.3). 21.6% showed pathogenic potential, interpreted as the capacity of the larvae to cause lesions, stick to the gastrointestinal wall or penetrate it. The species variable showed association with the pathogenic role of the larva (P = 0.008). Taking A. simplex s.s. as our reference, the OR for A. pegreffii is 0.351 (P = 0.028).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite this difference, A. pegreffii is also capable of causing anisakiasis, being responsible for 14.3% of the penetrations of the gastric mucosa found in rats, which justifies both species being considered aetiologic agents of this parasitic disorder.
authors.affiliation: Parasitology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. romero@ugr.es
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: del Carmen Romero
authors.forename: Adela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Valero
authors.forename: María Concepción
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Navarro-Moll
authors.forename: Joaquina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martín-Sánchez
mesh_terms: D054458:Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D017129:Anisakiasis / Q000235:genetics / Q000469:parasitology*; D017163:Anisakis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D001267:Atlantic Ocean; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D048388:Gadiformes / Q000469:parasitology*; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000469:parasitology*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007814:Larva / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D016015:Logistic Models; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar / Q000469:parasitology*; D013045:Species Specificity
keywords: Anisakis pegreffii; Anisakis simplex s.s.; Wistar rat; anisakiasis; pathogenic potential