Simonetta Mattiucci

Sapienza University of Rome | la sapienza · Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases

Understanding the genomic underpinnings of thermal adaptation is a hot topic in eco-evolutionary studies of parasites. Marine heteroxenous parasites have complex life cycles encompassing a free-living larval stage, an ectothermic intermediate host and a homeothermic definitive host, thus representing compelling systems for the study of thermal adap...

The Mediterranean Sea is recognized as a marine biodiversity hotspot. This enclosed basin is facing several anthropogenic-driven threats, such as seawater warming, pollution, overfishing, bycatch, intense maritime transport and invasion by alien species. The present review focuses on the diversity and ecology of specific marine trophically transmit...

Anisakis simplex sensu stricto is a parasite infecting several commercial fish species in the Northeast (NE) Atlantic, known to be the aetiological agent of the human zoonosis anisakiasis. The present study investigated the response of A. simplex (s. s.) third stage larvae (identified to species level by mtDNA cox2 sequencing) to the storage time a...

Fish are often speckled with "black spots" caused by metacercarial trematode infection, inducing a host response. Cryptocotyle spp. (Opisthorchiidae) are among the parasites responsible for this phenomenon. So far, the impact on human health is still unknown. In addition, few publications dealing with black spot recovery, identification, distributi...

The rising popularity of undercooked or raw seafood containing larvae of the Anisakis parasite has led to issues of public health concern due to allergic manifestations. We conducted an observational study on the use of an innovative Anisakis allergy diagnostic algorithm in a convenience sample of 53 allergic outpatients recruited in Western Sicily...

The study of the zoonotic parasites of the genus Anisakis and human anisakiasis is an increasingly hot topic in evolutionary biology and epidemiological studies carried out on natural and accidental (human) hosts, given the risk of this parasite to human health. However, the assessment of social-psychological factors relevant to Anisakis’ risky con...

Introduction: Anisakis pegreffii is a sibling species within the A. simplex (s.l.) complex requiring marine homeothermic (mainly cetaceans) and heterothermic (crustaceans, fish, and cephalopods) organisms to complete its life cycle. It is also a zoonotic species, able to accidentally infect humans (anisakiasis). To investigate the molecular signal...

Sibling species of the Contracaecum rudolphii (s.l.) complex are habitual endoparasites of cormorants of the Phalacrocoracidae family, worldwide. In Europe, the two species, C. rudolphii sp. A and C. rudolphii sp. B, have been identified. However, information regarding the occurrence and distribution of these anisakids in cormorants from Spain is s...

In recent years, a drop in the condition of the European sardine has been observed. Although several causes have been attributed to this issue, as overfishing and climate change, little is known about the link between ascaridoid nematode parasitisation and fish status. In this study, sardines were obtained from four fishing grounds along the Medite...

Parasite biodiversity in cetaceans represents a neglected component of the marine ecosystem. This study aimed to investigate the distribution and genetic diversity of anisakid nematodes of the genus Anisakis sampled in cetaceans from the Northeast Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. A total of 478 adults and pre-adults of Anisakis spp. was id...

Nematode parasites of the genus Anisakis (Nematoda, Anisakidae) are considered among the most important biological hazards in seafood products worldwide. In temperate and tropical waters, the most common species appears to be Anisakis typica, generally found around the viscera and sporadically in the flesh of various fish host species. This study i...

Anisakiasis is a zoonotic fish-born parasitic disease caused by anisakid nematodes. Paraffin-embedded blocks containing biopsy samples taken from patients suffering gastritis with unknown causes were investigated by real-time PCR, in the Bushehr region, Iran; where human anisakiasis has not been reported, so far. A total of 50 paraffin-embedded blo...

Objectives Anisakis pegreffii is a zoonotic parasite requiring marine organisms to complete its life-history. Human infection (anisakiasis) occurs when the third stage larvae (L3) are accidentally ingested with raw or undercooked infected fish or squids. A new de novo transcriptome of A. pegreffii was here generated aiming to provide a robust bulk...

The cestode family Gymnorhynchidae Dollfus, 1935 (Trypanorhyncha) comprises three genera and six valid species that are typically intestinal parasites of large pelagic sharks. Members of Gymnorhynchidae show a wide geographic distribution and represent a global sanitary concern because as larvae they infect the edible flesh of several commercially...

Parasitic ascaridoid nematodes occur in a wide range of marine organisms across the globe. Some species of the anisakid family (Ascaridoidea: Anisakidae) can cause gastrointestinal disease in humans (i. e. anisakidosis). Despite their importance as potentially hazardous parasites, the occurrence and infection characteristics of ascaridoids are stil...

Blastocystis is a common intestinal protist distributed worldwide, infecting humans and a wide range of domestic and wild animals. It exhibits an extensive genetic diversity and, so far, 25 distinct small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) lineages termed subtypes (STs)) have been characterized; among them, 12 have thus far been reported in humans. T...

Post-mortem examination of a fin whale Balaenoptera physalus stranded in the Mediterranean Sea led to the finding of Bolbosoma balaenae for the first time in this basin. In this work, we describe new structural characteristics of this parasite using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy approaches. Moreover, the molecular and phylogenet...

The southern Pacific Ocean, off the New Zealand coast, has been reported as one sympatric area of the two parasite species Anisakis pegreffii and A. berlandi. Here, a multilocus genotyping approach, based on a panel of eleven DNA microsatellite (SSR) loci plus the sequences analysis of the nuclear nas10 nDNA and the mitochondrial mtDNA cox2 gene lo...

Trypanorhynch tapeworms are marine heteroxenous parasites, involving sharks and rays as definitive hosts, invertebrates (i.e. crustaceans) as first intermediate hosts, and various teleost fishes as intermediate/paratenic ones. The massive presence of Trypanorhyncha larval forms in the flesh or body cavity of the fish hosts reduces their market valu...

Ascaridoid nematodes comprise a wide range of heteroxenous parasites infecting top fish predators and marine mammals as definitive hosts, with crustaceans, squids, and fishes acting as intermediate/paratenic hosts. Limited data exist on the species and role of several intermediate and paratenic hosts in the life cycle of these parasites. In the aim...

1) Dirofilariosis is a vector-borne parasitic disease mainly in domestic and wild carnivores caused by Dirofilaria (Noctiella) repens, which is endemic in many countries of the Old World, and D. immitis, which has a worldwide distribution. In recent years, an increase in the number of human cases has been reported, suggesting that dirofilariosis is...

Few reports exist upon the occurrence and localization of zoonotic anisakid nematodes in T. sagittatus, especially in the mantle of the squid. The occurrence and site of infection of larval anisakids in 98 T. sagittatus caught West off St. Kilda, NE Atlantic Ocean, were investigated. Squids were examined for anisakids using the UV-Press method. In...

Transplanted patients are particularly exposed to a major risk of infectious diseases due to prolonged immunosuppressive treatment. Over the last decade, the growing migration flows and the transplant tourism have led to increasing infections caused by geographically restricted organisms. Malaria is an unusual event in organ transplant recipients t...

Blastocystis is an anaerobic, unicellular protist with a worldwide distribution. In mammalian and avian hosts, molecular studies have allowed the identification of at least 22 distinct ribosomal lineages, termed subtypes (STs), which could be considered separate species. At least 10 of these, ST1–9 and ST12, have been identified in humans, and all,...

An overview around the systematics, biology and ecology of the species so far included in the genus Anisakis is here reported. Immunopathological features related to the clinic forms of human anisakiasis due to the zoonotic species (i.e., A. simplex (s.s.) and A. pegreffii) as well its diagnosis, are summarized. The epidemiology of anisakiasis, who...

The study aims to perform, for the first time, the molecular identification of anisakid larvae in commercial fish from the Southeastern Pacific Ocean off the Peru coast, and to provide data on their infection level by fishing ground, fish host, and site of infection. Fish specimens (N = 348) from the northern and the central coast of Peru were exam...

Studies describing the parasite fauna of sunfish species from the Mediterranean Sea are to date limited, despite information gained through parasitological examination may reveal unknown ecological and biological aspects of both hosts and parasites. Moreover, recent molecular studies on sunfish taxonomy revealed the presence of two species belongin...

This book contains topics on the role of climatic factors on the epidemiology, prevalence, distribution, prevention and control of fish diseases. The 25 chapters that are divided into three main parts that discuss freshwater ecosystems and biological sequestrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide; microbial diseases (viral, bacterial and fungal infec...

Background: Blastocystis is a common intestinal protist distributed worldwide infecting humans and a wide range of domestic and wild animals. It exhibits an extensive genetic diversity and so far, 26 subtypes (STs) have been identified in animal hosts, ten of them (ST1-ST9 and ST12) reported in humans with varying prevalence. Since several STs are...

The genus Anisakis represents one of the most widespread groups of ascaridoid nematodes in the marine ecosystem. Three closely related taxa are recognized in the Anisakis simplex (s. l.) complex: A. pegreffii , A. simplex (s. s.) and A. berlandi. They are widely distributed in populations of their intermediate/paratenic hosts (fish and squids) and...

The third-stage larvae of the parasitic nematode genus Anisakis tend to encapsulate in different tissues including the musculature of fish. Host tissue penetration and degradation involve both mechanic processes and the production of proteins encoded by an array of genes. Investigating larval gene profiles during the fish infection has relevance in...

Contracaecum rudolphii (s. l.) is a complex of sibling species of anisakid nematodes having the fish-eating birds belonging to the Family Phalacrocoracidae as final hosts. The great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis is parasitized by C. rudolphii A and C. rudolphii B. Adults and L4 specimens of C. rudolphii (s. l.) (N = 3282) were collected in...

Sulcascaris sulcata (Anisakidae), a pathogenic nematode of sea turtles, may cause ulcerous gastritis with different degrees of severity. Previous studies demonstrated a high prevalence of infection in the Mediterranean loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), although no data on the potential intermediate hosts of this nematode has been published thus...

Eight microsatellite loci, recently developed in the species Anisakis pegreffii, were successfully amplified in Anisakis berlandi, sibling species of the A. simplex (s. l.) complex. They were validated on adult specimens (n = 46) of the parasite species, collected from two individuals of the definitive host, the long-finned pilot whale Globicephala...

An epidemiological survey on Blastocystis was carried out enrolling a total of 2524 subjects referred to the Umberto I Academic Hospital in Rome, for the routine parasitological exams, during 2017-2018. The studied population included a sample of immunocompromised individuals (N= 130) followed at the same hospital. DNA sequencing of the small subun...

We used morphological and genetic identification to document metazoan parasites of cetaceans and pinnipeds from 28 carcasses salvaged in California between 1974 and 2002, including whales, dolphins, porpoises, sea lions, and seals. Nematodes found included Anisakis simplex (s.l.), A. simplex (s.s.), Pseudoterranova decipiens (s.l.), Pseudoterranova...

Background: Blastocystis is one of the most common intestinal protozoa in human faecal samples with uncertain impact on public health. Studies on the prevalence of Blastocystis in HIV-positive patients are limited and dated. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 156 HIV-positive patients to evaluate the prevalence of Blastoc...

Background: Blastocystis is one of the most common intestinal protozoa in human faecal samples with uncertain impact on public health. Studies on the prevalence of Blastocystis in HIV-positive patients are limited and dated. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 156 HIV-positive patients to evaluate the prevalence of Blastocyst...

Background Blastocystis is one of the most common intestinal protozoa in human faecal samples with uncertain impact on public health . Studies on the prevalence of Blastocystis in HIV-positive patients are limited and dated. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 156 HIV- positive patients to evaluate the prevalence of Blastocyst...

Background: Loiasis is a vector-borne parasitic infection endemic across many areas of Central and West Africa. Its treatment is tricky due to the risk of serious neurologic adverse events occurring after the administration of microfilaricidal drugs, like diethylcarbamazine or ivermectin, in subjects with high pre-treatment microfilarial load. Alb...

Anisakis pegreffii, a recognised etiological agent of human anisakiasis, is a parasite of homeothermic hosts at the adult stage and of ectothermic hosts at the third larval stage. Among distinct factors, temperature appears to be crucial in affecting parasite hatching, moulting and to modulate parasite-host interaction. In the present study, we inv...

Background Blastocystis is one of the most common intestinal protozoa in human faecal samples with uncertain impact on public health. Studies on the prevalence of Blastocystis in HIV-positive patients are limited and dated. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 156 HIV- positive patients to evaluate the prevalence of Blastocysti...

The species of Anisakis constitute one of the most widespread groups of ascaridoid nematodes in the marine ecosystem. Three closely related taxa are recognised in the A. simplex (s. l.) complex, i.e. A. pegreffii , A. simplex (s. s.) and A. berlandi. They are distributed in populations of their intermediate/paratenic (fish and squids) and definitiv...

This study reports the presence of two distinct MHC class II β genes in the Antarctic icefish Chionodraco hamatus, belonging to the classical (ChhaDAB) and nonclassical (ChhaDBB) evolutionary lineages. By the application of targeted sequencing approach, a remarkable molecular diversity in the exon 2 sequence of the highly expressed gene ChhaDAB has...

We describe a rare case of Dirofilaria repens infection presenting as peripheral lung nodules and mimicking a metastatic focus from a previously diagnosed cutaneous melanoma. In order to avoid invasive investigations before arriving to the correct diagnosis, dirofilariasis should be always included as a part of the diagnostic process in subjects wi...

The Argentinean short-finned squid (Illex argentinus) is an oceanic, neritic species widely distributed off the east coast of South America, representing the most abundant commercially exploited squid species in these waters. Despite the great commercial importance of Argentinean short-finned squid as a food resource, and as frozen product exported...

Le filariosi sono antropo-zooparassitosi che colpiscono oltre 200 milioni di individui e che costituiscono uno dei problemi sanitari di interesse dell'OMS. Sono causate da nematodi antroponotici e antropo-zoonotici, comunemente denominate filarie, che hanno un ciclo di sviluppo indiretto che si compie con un passaggio obbligato in un vettore (inset...

Background: In recent years Europe has experienced a dramatic increase in migration flows. Nevertheless, limited data is available about the occurrence of neglected parasitic diseases among migrant population. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of intestinal and urinary parasites in newly arrived asylum seekers. Metho...

Mass strandings of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) are rare in the Mediterranean Sea. Nevertheless, in 2014 a pod of 7 specimens stranded alive along the Italian coast of the Central Adriatic Sea: 3 individuals died on the beach after a few hours due to internal damages induced by prolonged recumbency; the remaining 4 whales were refloated af...

A retrospective analysis on human anisakiasis in Italy since its first description in 1996 was performed by conducting a literature search. Inclusion criteria based on the presence of a larva and on parasite identification were applied. Epidemiological data and clinical features were analysed. Particular attention was paid to the source of infectio...

Harvesting and exploiting limited fisheries resources in a sustainable manner also implies achieving maximum added value from the raw material. However, the presence of parasites in the products may adversely affect consumer perception and/or pose a direct health hazard. As a major stepping-stone of the PARASITE project, an epidemiological survey w...

Due to its remote and isolated location, Antarctica is home to a unique diversity of species. The harsh conditions have shaped a primarily highly adapted endemic fauna. This includes the notothenioid family Channichthyidae. Their exceptional physiological adaptations have made this family of icefish the focus of many studies. However, studies on th...

Raw data of parasitological examination. Given numbers are the amount of recorded parasite specimens. ID = identification code of the examined specimens. Hir: Hirudinea, N. saw: Nototheniobdella sawyeri, N. noto: Notobdella nototheniae, T. cap: Truliobdella capitis, Ne: Nematoda, C. osc: Contracaecum osculatum (s.l.), C. rad: C. radiatum, C. sp.: C...

Molecular results. Nematodes subjected to molecular analyses and identity matching with the NCBI data set (GenBank). ID = Sample code: Species initials_Host-No._Nematode-No., Organism = Species of highest identity in GenBank, % Identity: Pairwise identity of query and organism.

MUSCLE sequence alignment of the obtained cox2 sequences including species references. Complete alignment that has been used for subsequent phylogenetic analyzes. Sequence IDs according to Table S3 and Fig. 3. Reference sequences were obtained from Genbank (Accession numbers indicated).

Parasite fauna of channichthyid species, based on literature data and own studies. Species occurring outside of the Antarctic Convergence (e.g. South Georgia Island) are included. Records are based on Klimpel et al. (2009) and Oguz et al. (2015). Depth ranges of the fish species are taken from Froese & Pauly (2016). Abbreviations: D, Digenea; C, Ce...

Morphometric data on the host species investigated. n = sample size, TL = total length, TW = total weight, SW = slaughter weight. Arithmetric mean and standard deviation are given. Median, minimum and maximum are given below. K = condition factor, HSI = hepatosomatic index.

Description of raw data including sampling information, morphological measurements and stomach contents. ID = identification code of the examined fish specimens (C.w: Chaenodraco wilsoni; C.g: Champsocephalus gunnari; N.i: Neopagetopsis ionah; P.m: Pagetopsis macropterus; P.g: Pseudochaenichthys georgianus). Hol = sampling point, SL = standard leng...

Anisakiasis is increasing worldwide, even in Europe and in the Mediterranean region due to the increased practice of raw fish consumption. Usually, a detailed food history is the key to the diagnosis. A 52-year-old woman affected by pathological obesity underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) for a 1-year history of epigastric pain. In the gastr...

This review addresses the biodiversity, biology, distribution, ecology, epidemiology, and consumer health significance of the so far known species of Anisakis, both in their natural hosts and in human accidental host populations, worldwide. These key aspects of the Anisakis species' biology are highlighted, since we consider them as main driving fo...

Historically, stock delimitation has followed a top-down approach, in which management stewardships decide stock boundaries attending mainly to political reasons and fisheries assessment consequently adapts. However, there are currently vast evidence showing that stock delimitation should be based in scientific evidences. This inherently requires m...

European pilchards are traditionally eaten marinated or salted in the Mediterranean countries often without thermal processing or gutting due to small size. Since ingestion of live third stage Anisakis larvae represents a causing agent in the onset of anisakiasis, the aim of our study was to assess prevalence and intensity of Anisakis infection in...

The Atlantic herring is a schooling, pelagic species that inhabits both sides of the North Atlantic Ocean. Herring stock identification is usually based on several approaches, including fish meristic characters, population genetic analysis and the use of parasite species composition. A total of 654 Anisakis spp. larvae collected from herring of fou...

Background Anisakiasis is a fish-borne zoonosis caused by Anisakis spp. larvae. One challenging issue in the diagnosis of anisakiasis is the molecular detection of the etiological agent even at very low quantity, such as in gastric or intestinal biopsy and granulomas. Aims of this study were: 1) to identify three new cases of invasive anisakiasis,...