Monday, November 22, 2010

Case of the Week 140

The following was identified in a package of frozen cod fillets purchased at a chain grocery store. (CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE)




Identification?
Does this finding pose a risk to someone who consumes this fish?

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

An anisakine worm, possibly the larval stage? Anisakis simplex? There is a risk of developing GI or anaphylactic symptoms. BW in Vt

Unknown said...

Anisakis? If still alive (consumed raw or undercooked) could cause severe acute gastritis often requiring endoscopic removal.

Anonymous said...

Looks like the L3 arrested form of an Anisakis genus nematode; it's even displaying the "watch-spring coil" gross morphology. Unless the fish is adequately cooked or frozen, eating the cod will likely result in a transient parasitic infection of the bowel.

Anonymous said...

I'm not so sure is Anisakis as I thought the cold water cod had a benign round worm commonly -- so I propose Phocanema which I have never heard of specifically.