Occurrence and distribution of zoonotic nematodes in fishes from Brazil: a systematic review

Authors

  • Ademar Guimarães de Souza Neto Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência, Inovação e Tecnologia para a Amazônia, Universidade Federal do Acre (UFAC), Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil. - Laboratório de Gestão, Ecologia e Manejo de Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal do Acre (UFAC), Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9337-2000
  • Adais Batista Sales Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência, Inovação e Tecnologia para a Amazônia, Universidade Federal do Acre (UFAC), Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil. - Laboratório de Gestão, Ecologia e Manejo de Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal do Acre (UFAC), Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4598-3946
  • Ronaldo Alves Silva Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência, Inovação e Tecnologia para a Amazônia, Universidade Federal do Acre (UFAC), Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil. - Laboratório de Gestão, Ecologia e Manejo de Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal do Acre (UFAC), Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil. - Laboratório de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal do Acre (UFAC), Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9319-5139
  • Henrique Paulo Melo Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência, Inovação e Tecnologia para a Amazônia, Universidade Federal do Acre (UFAC), Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil. - Laboratório de Gestão, Ecologia e Manejo de Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal do Acre (UFAC), Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1797-6678
  • Clarice Maia Carvalho Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência, Inovação e Tecnologia para a Amazônia, Universidade Federal do Acre (UFAC), Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil. - Laboratório de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal do Acre (UFAC), Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1092-738X
  • Lucena Rocha Virgilio Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência, Inovação e Tecnologia para a Amazônia, Universidade Federal do Acre (UFAC), Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil. - Laboratório de Gestão, Ecologia e Manejo de Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal do Acre (UFAC), Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8782-1009

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62429/rnh20261202048

Keywords:

Anisakis, Contracaecum, Eustrongylides, Gnathostoma, Pseudoterranova

Abstract

Nematodes are parasites widely distributed in aquatic environments and are among the helminths of greatest relevance to global public health. Among the species that affect fish, some exhibit zoonotic potential, that is, they are capable of infecting humans. In parasitized individuals, infections may manifest in different clinical forms, including larval penetration of the gastric or intestinal mucosa, leading to inflammatory processes and, in some cases, gastrointestinal complications. In this context, the present study aimed to conduct a systematic review on the occurrence and distribution of zoonotic nematodes in fish in Brazil, with emphasis on identifying the species involved and their main hosts. Articles published between 2000 and 2025, written in Portuguese and English, and restricted to the Brazilian territory were included. A total of 63 articles were selected, allowing a comprehensive survey of zoonotic nematode species reported in different regions of the country. Among the genera identified, Contracaecumsp.1 exhibited the broadest geographical distribution, with records in 17 Brazilian states. Acre (AC) stood out as the state with the highest number of reported hosts, highlighting the importance of this region for understanding the diversity and ecology of these parasites. These findings corroborate previous research, which point to the high ecological plasticity of the genus and its ability to infect a wide variety of fish species, particularly in freshwater ecosystems.

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Published

2025-11-21

How to Cite

de Souza Neto, A. G., Batista Sales, A., Alves Silva, R., Melo, H. P., Carvalho, C. M., & Rocha Virgilio, L. (2025). Occurrence and distribution of zoonotic nematodes in fishes from Brazil: a systematic review. Neotropical Helminthology, 1(20). https://doi.org/10.62429/rnh20261202048