Foodborne Helminths in Imported Fish: Molecular Evidence from Fish Products in the Kazakhstan Market

Smagulova A. Bulashev A. Jazina K. Uakhit R. Lider L. Bekenova A. Valeeva D. Kiyan V.
October 2025 Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)

Foods
2025 #14 Issue 20

The increasing reliance on imported fish products in Kazakhstan raises concerns about the presence of fish-borne parasitic infections, particularly zoonotic helminths that pose risks to public health. This study aimed to assess the diversity and prevalence of helminths in commercially imported marine fish using both traditional and molecular diagnostic methods. A total of 670 specimens representing 17 fish species were collected from retail markets in Astana, Almaty, and Karaganda. Macroscopic inspection and muscle compression techniques were used to detect larval parasites, followed by DNA extraction and PCR amplification targeting the ITS-2, 5.8S, 18S rRNA, and mitochondrial COX gene regions. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis confirmed the presence of cestodes (Eubothrium crassum, Hepatoxylon trichiuri, Nybelinia surmenicola), acanthocephalans (Echinorhynchus gadi), and nematodes, with a predominance of zoonotic species from the Anisakidae family, including Anisakis simplex, A. pegreffii, Pseudoterranova decipiens, and Contracaecum osculatum. The highest levels of infection were detected in Atka mackerel (97.1%), herring (96.0%), mackerel (92.0%), and blue whiting (88.1%), while the lowest rates were recorded in smelt (6.8%), flounder (10.2%), and haddock (16.0%). This is the first molecular-based survey of fish helminths in Kazakhstan and highlights the need to integrate genetic screening into food safety control systems to better protect consumers and improve parasite monitoring of imported seafood.

Anisakisspp , DNA sequencing , fish-borne parasites , food safety , helminths , imported seafood , Kazakhstan , molecular diagnostics

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Laboratory of Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, National Center for Biotechnology, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
Department of Veterinary Medicine, S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
Scientific Center for Biological Research, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan

Laboratory of Biodiversity and Genetic Resources
Department of Veterinary Medicine
Scientific Center for Biological Research

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