Answer to the Parasite Case of the Week 751: Anisakis species.
Thanks to all who provided comments on this case! Idzi kicked us off with his comment: "The Y-shaped lateral chords tell me that this is patient has eaten raw (or undercooked) fish! 😉". Florida Fan then elaborated, "The cross sections tell us that this is a nematode. From online publications and Idzi's comment, the very tall musculature and Y-shaped lateral chords favor a diagnosis of anisakiasis."
Here is an annotated image showing some of the key features:
Note the eosinophilic tissue response surrounding the worm.
Thanks again to Dr. Jones for donating this classic example of anisakiasis in tissue. 
2 comments:
Is this enough to differentiate from other Anisakid genera such as Pseudoterranova and Contracaecum ?
Great question. Yes, the Y-shaped lateral chords on a narrow base allow us to identify this as an Anisakis species. The lateral chords of other 2 genera have a broader base and are described as 'butterfly-like'.
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