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.
Is this enough to differentiate from other Anisakid genera such as Pseudoterranova and Contracaecum ?
ReplyDeleteGreat 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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