Giulietti Lucilla, Hernandez-Milian Gema, Cipriani Paolo, Bao Miguel, Tung Hui-Shan, Hernández Carmen, Levsen Arne
Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Nordnesgaten 50, NO-5005, Bergen, Norway.
Oceanographic Centre of Vigo, IEO-CSIC, Vigo, Spain.
Parasitol Res. 2024 Dec 18;123(12):412. doi: 10.1007/s00436-024-08436-2.
European sardine Sardina pilchardus is a commercially valuable coastal pelagic fish species. Spain is one of the largest sardine suppliers in Europe and the Iberian stock is of particular significance. Kudoa parasites are known to infect sardines causing the so-called 'soft flesh' condition; however, data on the occurrence of 'soft flesh' in this sardine stock are limited. This study investigates the occurrence of Kudoa-induced 'soft flesh' in the Iberian sardine stock caught in 2023 off the northern Spanish Atlantic coast (Division 8.c). Five hundred specimens were examined for 'soft flesh' by manual texture testing and visual inspection 48 h post-catch using standardized procedures. 'Soft flesh' was detected in 5.4% (27/500) of the sardines. Microscopic examination of muscle samples revealed the presence of Kudoa thyrsites-like myxospores in all 'soft flesh'-affected fish, which based on SSU rDNA gene sequence analysis was identified as K. thyrsites. The unsightly appearance of infected fillets represents a substantial food quality issue for the Iberian sardine stock that could reduce marketability and consumer confidence in both local and international markets. This is particularly relevant since larger Iberian sardines, which are highly appreciated by consumers, appear to be the most affected.
欧洲沙丁鱼（Sardina pilchardus）是一种具有商业价值的沿海中上层鱼类。西班牙是欧洲最大的沙丁鱼供应国之一，伊比利亚种群具有特别重要的意义。已知库道虫寄生虫会感染沙丁鱼，导致所谓的“软肉”状况；然而，关于这种沙丁鱼种群中“软肉”发生情况的数据有限。本研究调查了2023年在西班牙大西洋海岸北部（8.c分区）捕获的伊比利亚沙丁鱼种群中由库道虫引起的“软肉”情况。在捕获后48小时，使用标准化程序通过手动质地测试和目视检查对500个样本进行了“软肉”检查。在5.4%（27/500）的沙丁鱼中检测到了“软肉”。对肌肉样本的显微镜检查显示，所有受“软肉”影响的鱼中都存在似库道虫（Kudoa thyrsites）的粘孢子，基于小亚基核糖体DNA（SSU rDNA）基因序列分析，其被鉴定为库道虫。受感染鱼片的难看外观对伊比利亚沙丁鱼种群来说是一个严重的食品质量问题，这可能会降低其在本地和国际市场上的适销性和消费者信心。这一点尤其重要，因为消费者高度青睐的较大的伊比利亚沙丁鱼似乎受影响最大。
