Prevalence of Anisakis Larvae in Different Fish Species in Southern Albania: Five-Year Monitoring (2016–2020)

Abstract

Anisakidae are nematodes that commonly parasitize in the coelomic cavity and viscera of several fish species. They can be found in flesh, which is why they have an important economic and public health impact. The aim of the current work was to assess the presence and prevalence of Anisakis larvae in fish species caught in the coastal area of the Karaburun Peninsula in Vlora Bay (Albania). A total of 856 of wild teleosts and 219 specimens of farmed fish were collected over a 5-year period (from 2016 to 2020). The results showed that out of a total of 1075 analyzed samples, 361 (33.58%) were parasitized with L3 larvae. In particular, only Solea vulgaris returned negative results, while Sparus aurata, Dicentrarchus labrax, and Sardinella aurita showed the lowest prevalence (4.55%, 9.17%, and 10.53%, respectively) and mean abundance (0.84, 1.19, and 0.92, respectively). Conversely, Scomber japonicus and Scomber scombrus showed the highest prevalence (74.07% and 68.00%, respectively) and mean abundance (188.24 and 249.82, respectively). The data suggest that the coastal area of the Karaburun Peninsula (southern Albania) may be a high-risk area for zoonotic diseases, and the consumption of raw or undercooked fish caught in the Vlora district could result in the acquisition of human anisakiasis. For these reasons, it is necessary to improve the surveillance plan.

1. Introduction

Fish provide excellent nutritious value, being rich in essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially omega-3 and omega-6, vitamins, and minerals [1]. For this reason, the demand for high-quality fish and fishery products has always shown a positive trend. Furthermore, in 2018, the world fish and aquaculture production reached about 179 million tons [2]. In this context, its safety aspects, such as the potential transmission of zoonotic diseases, play a crucial role in human health. In 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that there were approximately 56 million cases of parasite infections due to the consumption of fish products [3].

From the European Union Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) database, when only taking into account the parasitic infections by Anisakis, 546 notifications were found in the EU. The latter extended from 2001 to 2019 in 13 different European Union countries, reflecting 0.95% of the total cases reported on the RASFF portal. The peak of the notifications occurred in the year 2011, representing 19% of the number of total notifications of Anisakis [4]. Of the 546 Anisakis notifications, the main notified taxa were mackerel (123 notifications) and hake (106 notifications), followed by anglerfish (94 notifications) and anchovy (29 notifications) [4].

Among several types of fish parasites, the genus Anisakis deputes the widely distributed fish nematodes, capable of inducing ichthyozoonosis disease. A recent systematic literature survey carried out by Ophranet [5] estimated that the worldwide incidence of zoonotic cases attributed to Anisakis species in 2021 is to 0.32/100,000. Anisakis are parasitic nematodes belonging to the phylum Nemathelmintes, class Secernentea, order Ascarida, suborder Ascaridina, superfamily Ascaridoidea, family Anisakidae and subfamily Anisakinae [6]. The genus Anisakis comprises nine species; however, only two of them, A. simplex s.s. and A. pegreffii, have been confirmed as zoonotic pathogens [7,8], while Pseudoterranova decipiens and Contracaecum osculatum always belonging to the anisakid genera rarely were considered responsible for infections in humans [9].

Intermediate or paratenic hosts of the larvae are crustaceans, cephalopods, and fish [10]. Anisakis larvae can be found parasitizing a wide range of marine teleost species inhabiting the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, as well as from the Pacific to the Antarctic area, affecting the fish product quality [11]. Anisakidosis is the zoonotic disease caused by the third larval (L3) stage of anisakid nematodes [12]. Anisakiasis is a worldwide emerging zoonosis which also causes serious economic problems related to the marketability of infested fishery products and the potential negative effects on consumer confidence [13,14,15]. Humans, who are not suitable hosts for these parasites, acquire the infection accidentally by eating mainly raw, salted and marinated, or undercooked fish or cephalopods [16]. Using raw or almost raw fish products exposes consumers to a significant health risk [17].

Therefore, thermal processing (heat treatment) is the most reliable way to check the risk of infection through consuming raw or undercooked infected fish, specifically through the application of temperatures ≥60 °C for 1 minute, 60 °C for 10 min, or 70 °C for 7 min (for a fillet 3 cm thick) [4,18]. Moreover, European Regulation No. 1276/2011 urges food business operators to employ a mandatory application of preventive freezing treatment on raw materials or finished products in order to kill viable parasites in fishery products. The freezing treatment, for parasites other than trematodes, must consist of lowering the temperature in all parts of the product to at least −20 °C for at least 24 h or −35 °C for at least 15 h.

In order to invade the gastrointestinal mucosa, the L3 of A. simplex probably use mechanical disruption of tissue combined with the release of potent proteolytic enzymes that are capable of degrading the extracellular matrix [14]. The clinical manifestations differ depending on the larva location, where the most habitual location is in the mucosa or submucosa of the stomach and intestine [19]. There are four specific forms of infection recognized today, depending on the site of larval penetration and the accompanying pathology: gastric, intestinal, ectopic, and gastro-allergic [20]. Human anisakidosis is peculiar because this parasite is not adapted to live in humans, and for this reason, the infection is defined as “transitory”. In fact, the chronological physiopathology of Anisakis simplex infection in humans shows that about 14 days after ingestion, larval death occurs [14]. Usually within a few hours after the ingestion of a living worm, A. simplex causes an infection that may lead to abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea [14], whereas allergic-type reactions emerge within 60–120 min after the consumption of affected fish [18]. Diagnosing anisakiasis is a difficult task, and an accurate identification relies on the endoscopy or determination of specific IgE against A. simplex, in addition to the fact that anisakiasis symptoms are non-specific and the disease often being misdiagnosed [18].

The region of Vlora is the most important city in Albania, with significant tourist and economic potential [21] and with the combination of globalization and food tourism. In recent years, there has been an increase in cuisine in Albania based on the consumption of raw fish dishes or Japanese sushi. However, many restaurants are often unaware of the freezing techniques required to preserve fish and frequently use raw fillets from fresh fish that serve as a pathway for the spread of Anisakis disorders. Safety measures for consumer protection are increasing in Albania, and since 2014, national surveillance programs have included Anisakis control for fish species. Public health authorities and veterinary services are aware of the problem and are implementing a monitoring plan for Anisakis as a necessary operation for traceability. At the same, the fish industry is aware of the problem, which can affect both human health and the commercial value of the product.

In this context, the purpose of this research was to evaluate the prevalence of Anisakidae larvae in 10 fish species in the coastal region of Vlora (southern Albania). To date, this is the first study regarding Anisakis risk infection factors conducted in Albania and over such an extensive and large sampling period. In particular, this study evaluated the epidemiological situation over 5 years (2016–2020). The results could provide a significant contribution to Anisakis risk analysis in Albania while defining a more precise risk assessment and communication for consumers.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Sampling

A total of 1075 fish specimens of 10 different teleost species were collected from different sites on the coast of the Karaburun Peninsula located in the Valona district during 2016–2020 (Figure 1). Two of the fish specimens (Dicentrarchus labrax and Sparus aurata) were farmed fish and were reared in floating cages. Eight species (Merluccius merluccius, Solea vulgaris, Scomber scombrus, Mullus barbatus, Engraulis encrasicolus, Sardinella aurita, Trachurus trachurus, and Scomber japonicus) were collected with gillnets in the surrounding waters.

2.2. Fish Inspection

All the specimens were selected randomly and were part of a national monitoring program to evaluate anisakidosis risk assessment in the Albanian population. The fish were transported instantly into the laboratory and were kept at 4 °C until arrival in the laboratory. All of the detected larvae were collected with their locations noted and then washed in saline solution and subjected to morphological identification at the genus level according to the morphological keys of Moravec (1994) [22]. The viscera were dissected under a stereoscopic microscope, and the flesh, after a previous visual inspection, underwent artificial enzymatic digestion [23]. Furthermore, the coelomic cavity was opened, and the information regarding the number of larvae for each fish was recorded.

2.3. Morphological Identification of Anasikid L3

The samples were delivered to the laboratory of the veterinary faculty of Tirana in coolers (4 °C) within approximately 6 h after fishing. Upon arrival in the laboratory, the fish were visually examined (Figure 2a,b), and the flesh underwent the digestion method according the procedure of the EURL for parasites [24]. After the fish were skinned and eviscerated, the muscular tissue was collected and weighed (XS Balance Mod. BL 224–220 GR.–0.1 MG) to the amount of 100 g of muscle. The muscles were chopped and transferred in the digestion solution (2 L tap water preheated to 46–48 °C; 10 ± 0.5 mL, 25% hydrochloric acid (37% ERBApharm, according to the pharmacopoeia: Ph.Eur.-NF-FUPh Franc.—BP-JPand); 10 ± 0.2 g pepsin (Pepsine 1:10,000 Biotechnology Grade VWR)). The beaker was placed on a magnetic stirrer (ELP Scientific F20510011) with the heating plate at 40–42 °C. The solution was incubated under stirring conditions until the tissue disappeared (approximately 15–20 min), with the glass beaker covered by aluminum foil to keep a constant temperature and decrease evaporation. Then, the digestion solution was poured through the sieve into a beaker. The Anisakis larvae could be detected on the sieve, collected, and examined under a stereomicroscope (0.67 X–4.5 X Zoom stereo microscopes, Model VS6745-J4L). All the larvae were stored in the laboratory in vial filled with 90% ethanol.

2.4. Data Analysis

The standard infection parameters suggested by Bush et al. [25] were used to quantify the parasite population and parasite infection density in the host population. In particular, “prevalence” was calculated as the number of hosts infected with 1 or more individuals of Anisakis divided by the number of hosts examined for that parasite species; “intensity” was calculated as the number of larvae of Anisakis in a single infected host; “mean intensity” was calculated as the total number of parasitic larvae of Anisakis found in a sample divided by the number of hosts infected with them; and “mean abundance” was calculated as the total number of larvae of Anisakis in a sample of a particular host species divided by the total number of hosts of that species examined (including both infected and uninfected hosts). The confidence interval (95% CI) for the mean abundance was calculated using the bootstrap method [26,27]. These parameters were also calculated for each site of parasitation (viscera and flesh) and season. Generalized linear models using a binomial as the probability distribution and a logit as the link function were used to evaluate whether the Anisakis infection was affected by the fish species, site of parasitation, or season. The least significant difference was used to carry out pairwise comparisons. Moreover, the abundance was compared between the sites of parasitation through the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, while the abundance was compared between the fish species and seasons using the Kruskal–Wallis test [27]. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS Statistics version 25 (IBM, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). We defined p ≤ 0.05 as significant.

3. Results

Table 1. Prevalence (%), mean abundance, 95% confidence intervals (calculated using the bootstrap method), mean, intensity range (minimum–maximum), and total number of larvae.

Fish Species	No.	Prevalence	Mean Abundance	95% CI for Mean Abundance	Mean Intensity	Range	Total Number of Larvae
Dicentrarchus labrax	109	9.17%	1.19	0.38–2.01	13.00	1–23	130
Engraulis encrasicolus	112	50.00%	73.42	58.39–88.44	146.84	72–255	8223
Merluccius merluccius	112	26.79%	4.57	2.93–6.21	17.07	5–35	512
Mullus barbatus	100	25.00%	4.78	2.84–6.72	19.12	2–41	478
Sardinella aurita	114	10.53%	0.92	0.38–1.46	8.75	3–15	105
Scomber japonicus	108	74.07%	188.24	156.53–219.95	254.12	32–635	20,330
Scomber scombrus	100	68.00%	249.82	202.13–297.51	367.38	34–792	24,982
Solea vulgaris	100	0.00%	0.00	0.00–0.00	-	-	-
Sparus aurata	110	4.55%	0.84	0.08–1.59	18.40	10–24	92
Trachurus trachurus	110	68.18%	135.51	107.89–163.12	198.75	30–639	14,906

and Figure 3 and Figure 4, regardless of the parasite microhabitat (viscera or flesh) and season of capture, show the prevalence, mean abundance, and intensity of infection of anisakid L3 type I larvae in 10 fish species. A total of 361 (33.58%) specimens were parasitized. Out of the 10 different fish species exanimated in this research, 9 of them showed contamination with Anisakis larvae. Only one fish species, Solea vulgaris, returned a negative result (Table 1). Sparus aurata showed the lowest prevalence and mean abundance, followed by Dicentrarchus labrax and Sardinella aurita (Figure 3 and Figure 4). Conversely, the highest prevalence and mean abundance were recorded in Scomber japonicus and Scomber scombrus, respectively (Figure 3 and Figure 4), which also exhibited high intensities (20,330 and 24,982, respectively; Table 1).

Quantitative descriptors of the parasite populations according to the microhabitat of parasitation are presented in

Table 2. Prevalence (%) and mean abundance with 95% confidence intervals (calculated using the bootstrap method) of anisakid L3 type I larvae in the fish species, analyzed with respect to the microhabitat of parasitation.

Fish Species	Prevalence		Mean Abundance with 95% CI
	Viscera	Flesh	Viscera	Flesh
Dicentrarchus labrax	9.17%	7.34%	1.01 (0.33–1.69)	0.18 (0.03–0.34)
Engraulis encrasicolus	50.00%	45.54%	59.79 (47.21–72.36)	13.63 (9.20–18.06)
Merluccius merluccius	26.79%	18.75%	4.02 (2.59–5.45)	0.55 (0.31–0.80)
Mullus barbatus	25.00%	19.00%	3.76 (2.29–5.23)	1.02 (0.49–1.55)
Sardinella aurita	10.53%	0.00%	0.92 (0.38–1.46)	0.00
Scomber japonicus	74.07%	65.74%	179.78 (149.63–209.92)	8.46 (6.71–10.21)
Scomber scombrus	68.00%	61.00%	242.16 (195.91–288.41)	7.66 (5.77–9.55)
Solea vulgaris	0.00%	0.00%	0.00	0.00
Spara aurata	4.55%	3.64%	0.66 (0.08–1.25)	0.17 (0.00–0.35)
Trachurus trachurus	68.18%	59.09%	129.97 (103.90–156.05)	5.54 (3.56–7.51)

. Both in the viscera and flesh, Sparus aurata was the fish infested with Anisakis the least, while Scomber japonicus was the heaviest. Overall, both the prevalence and mean abundance were higher in the viscera (prevalence = 33.58 ± 1.4%; abundance = 61.15 ± 130.31 helminths/host) than the flesh (prevalence = 27.91 ± 1.4%; abundance = 3.74 ± 10.39 helminths/host; p < 0.001).

Regardless of the fish species, the season of capture affected the susceptibility to infection. The highest prevalence and mean abundance were recorded in the summer and spring, with the lowest being in the winter (p < 0.05;

Table 3. Prevalence (%) of anisakid L3 type I larvae in the fish species, analyzed with respect to the season of capture. Values followed by the same letters are not significantly different.

Fish Species	Season of Capture				p Value
	Spring (n = 268)	Summer (n = 278)	Autumn (n = 267)	Winter (n = 262)
Dicentrarchus labrax	11.11	14.29	7.41	3.70	0.477
Engraulis encrasicolus	57.14	53.33	46.43	42.31	0.684
Merluccius merluccius	28.57	32.14	25.00	21.43	0.819
Mullus barbatus	24.00	32.00	24.00	20.00	0.809
Sardinella aurita	14.29 a	13.79 a	13.79 a	0.00 b	0.003
Scomber japonicus	77.78	85.19	70.37	62.96	0.237
Scomber scombrus	69.2	70.00	66.67	65.22	0.982
Solea vulgaris	0.00	0.00	0.0	0.00	-
Spara aurata	7.41	7.14	3.57	0.00	0.148
Trachurus trachurus	74.07	72.41	62.96	62.96	0.713
Overall	36.6 a	38.8 a	31.1 ab	27.5 b	0.019

and

Table 4. Mean abundance with 95% confidence intervals (calculated using the bootstrap method) of anisakid L3 type I larvae in the fish species, analyzed with respect to the season of capture. Values followed by the same letters are not significantly different.

Fish Species	Season of Capture				p Value
	Spring (n = 268)	Summer (n = 278)	Autumn (n = 267)	Winter (n = 262)
Dicentrarchus labrax	1.81 (0.00–3.89)	2.50 (0.00–5.00)	0.37 (0.00–0.90)	0.04 (0.00–0.11)	0.491
Engraulis encrasicolus	95.36 a (61.38–129.33)	94.43 a (59.04–129.82)	55.96 ab (31.18–80.75)	44.35 b (21.60–67.09)	0.030
Merluccius merluccius	6.46 (2.25–10.68)	6.29 (2.42–10.15)	3.86 (0.62–7.10)	1.68 (0.37–2.89)	0.504
Mullus Barbatus	5.52 (1.27–9.77)	9.12 (3.28–14.96)	3.48 (0.66–6.30)	1.00 (0.08–1.92)	0.430
Sardinella aurita	1.00 (0.02–1.98)	1.79 (0.05–3.54)	0.86 (0.00–1.76)	0.00 (0.00–0.00)	0.226
Scomber japonicus	223.41 ab (156.42–290.39)	276.33 a (206.20–346.47)	154.07 bc (92.72–215.42)	99.15 c (58.11–140.18)	0.001
Scomber scombrus	331.92 a (222.84–441.00)	353.03 a (259.81–446.25)	211.33 ab (129.81–292.85)	57.52 b (33.21–81.83)	0.001
Solea vulgaris	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	-
Sparus aurata	1.41 (0.00–3.43)	1.07 (0.00–2.69)	0.86 (0.00–2.62)	0.00 (0.00–0.00)	0.529
Trachurus trachurus	160.30 (89.30–231.29)	118.21 (70.53–165.88)	128.33 (69.00–187.66)	136.48 (85.09–187.88)	0.888
Overall	82.44 a (63.02–101.86)	89.46 a (69.46–109.00)	52.00 ab (38.47–65.53)	34.01 b (24.91–43.11)	0.002

). In particular, the differences in prevalence were statistically significant in Sardinella aurita, where one season (winter) returned a negative result (p < 0.05; Table 3). Differences in the mean abundance were found in several species; Engraulis encrasicolus, Scomber japonicus, and Scomber scombrus had about half the number of larvae in winter than in summer and spring (p < 0.05; Table 4).

4. Discussion

The present research aimed at providing, for the first time, epidemiological data regarding the presence Anisakis L3 larvae in 10 different fish species in the region of Vlora (Albania) over a 5-year period. It is important to highlight that all data reported in this study can be applied in risk assessment in the 10 analyzed fish species. Anisakiasis is a gastrointestinal fishborne zoonosis that is annually increasing in numerous countries in the Mediterranean area. Spain in particular has the highest reported incidence in Europe and the second highest worldwide [28]. The quantitative risk assessment analysis performed by Bao et al. [29] found that the risk of anisakiasis due to the consumption of raw or marinated unfrozen anchovies in the Spanish population was approximately 7700–8320 cases per year.

Anisakids are known to be resistant to inadequate freezing (freezing in domestic freezers), microwaving, improper heating, and salting [30,31,32]. Moreover, visual inspection of the fish can detect 50% of the parasites, whereas in most cases, this cannot detect worms embedded deep in the fish musculature [23].

The present study revealed the absence of Anisakis larvae out of a total of 100 in all analyzed samples of Solea vulgaris in the coastal area of the Karaburun Peninsula in Vlora Bay. Few results are available in the literature regarding the presence of Anisakis larvae in the common sole (Solea solea). Its absence was observed by Keser et al. [33] in fish from the Dardanelles at Canakkale (Turkey). However, the number of fish specimens of common sole was limited to only 20 of them. Another study conducted by Abdel et al. [34] showed the presence of a nematode parasite belonging to the family Anisakidae in the genus Hysterothylacium along the city of Alexandria, Egypt in the Mediterranean Sea. Our study then showed that the species with the lowest prevalence and mean abundance were observed in Dicentrarchus labrax (9.17% and 1.19, respectively) and Sparus aurata (4.55% and 0.84, respectively). It is also interesting to note that in this case, both species came from fish farms. This result may be due to the feeding procedures employed in the fish farms, where the anisakid life cycle is disrupted, providing non-viable L3 larvae. Furthermore, the chances of infected secondary or paratenic hosts entering cages and being eaten by farmed fish are modest [35,36]. However, rare incidents of an Anisakis presence in farmed fish have been observed by Marty et al. [37], who reported the presence of Anisakis spp. among farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Even though, from the reported data, the level of Anisakis confirmed a low risk in farmed fish in the Vlora region, official systematic monitoring is necessary to ensure public health. According to European Regulation No. 853/2004 and No. 2074/2005, the risk of infection in farmed fish cannot be excluded. Indeed, sea-farmed fish are part of the monitoring plan under the organization of official controls.

Regarding high-risk species, in our study, they were represented by chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus), horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus), and Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus), showing the highest prevalence and mean abundance. The highest prevalence of infection (i.e., 74.1%) was observed in S. japonicus, representing the most “high-risk” species in this research. Our findings are in agreement with reports by several authors [38,39,40,41], where chub mackerel (S. japonicus) is the species with the highest infection level and mean intensity in the Mediterranean Sea. Prevalences similar to our data were found by Abattouy et al. [42] in Scomber japonicus from northern Moroccan waters, with a higher prevalence in Atlantic (67.9%) than in Mediterranean (57.0%) waters, and by Costa et al. [43] in mackerel from the Atlantic waters off Madeira (69.5%).

Horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) represent a pelagic fish that easily becomes infected with Anisakis, with its diet consisting mainly of crustacea, mollusca, squids and small teleosts [44]. Our results revealed a prevalence of 68.2% in the viscera and 59.1% in the flesh in T. trachurus, in accordance with the high percentages observed in Southern Europe [45,46,47].

Regarding Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus), they represent one of the most important pelagic fish widely propagating in the Pacific, northeast Atlantic, and Mediterranean areas. In general, mackerel caught in the Atlantic fishing grounds exhibit markedly higher Anisakis infection levels than their Mediterranean congeners [48]. In research conducted by Madrid et al. [49], the total Anisakis type I prevalence was 58.4%. However, the fresh mackerel specimens were from both the Atlantic and Mediterranean areas.

In the present study, the percentage of infection in Engraulis encrasicolus was 50.0%, in accordance with the data reported by Cipriani et al. [50], where similar prevalences of 55.8% and 39.8% in anchovy caught in the southern area of the Adriatic Sea and off the Croatian coast but always in the central area of the Adriatic Sea, respectively, were observed. Moreover, in the Adriatic Sea, a wide prevalence range of Anisakis infection (9.8–56.5%) was reported in Engraulis encrasicolus and Sardina pilchardus along the coast of the Marche region (Central Italy) [51], and this wide range of values was also confirmed by another study [52], where for the same Italian coasts (central area of the Adriatic Sea), the highest levels of infection with the parasite (prevalence = 70.8%; mean abundance = 4.30) were found in Engraulis encrasicolus.

According to reports from several authors [53,54], in the anchovy musculature postmortem, larval migration is highly influenced by the freshness of the sample, being accelerated with the time lapsed from the moment the fish is caught. Moreover, rapid practices and correct evisceration after capture are fundamental to prevent larvae migration into the muscle [55].

In our research, albeit in lower percentages (10.5%), Anisakis larvae were also observed in S. aurata. Goffredo et al. [47] showed a slightly higher percentage than that found in this study. It showed a prevalence of 19.5% (22 out of 113 specimens of S. aurata) in a study conducted in the Apulia region (Italy) on the opposite side of the Vlora region (Albania). Nevertheless, all the studies converged to one point and clearly established the percentage of Anisakis in sardines within the range of 10–20%.

In general, beyond the fish species, in our study, there was a higher presence of Anisakis larvae in the viscera compared with that in the flesh (33.58 ± 1.4% vs. 27.91 ± 1.4%, respectively), in line with the results of Debenedetti et al. [26]. In this regard, several authors [56,57] reported on the Anisakis migration into the flesh from the viscera in the mackerel Scomber scombrus. The same authors in another study [58] highlighted that about 90–98% are situated in the belly cavity and the visceral organs at the time of catch, and only few are embedded in the surrounding tissue of the peritoneal cavity in North Atlantic marine fish species.

Another important factor is the season of capture, as our results showed that, in general, it influenced the susceptibility to Anisakis infection. Significantly higher prevalences were observed in the summer and spring, while the lowest were observed in winter (p < 0.05). These results are in agreement with several authors [26,42], and these differences could be due to the change in the population of intermediate hosts infected by these nematodes and the possibility of a relationship between the feeding intensity of fish with these intermediate hosts and Anisakis infection.

5. Conclusions

This study, for the first time, evidently testifies to the presence of Anisakis parasites in several fish species along the Vlora coastline (southern Albania). Further studies are necessary to determine the presence of Anisakis larvae in other fishing areas throughout the Albanian coastline. Special attention should be especially given to Scomber japonicus, Scomber scombrus, and Trachurus trachurus, which showed the highest prevalence in this study.

Since the consumption of raw or undercooked fish is increasing in Albania, it is necessary to increase the number of sampling locations for official systematic monitoring plans. Furthermore, the correct adoption of mandatory and good hygiene practices (e.g., preventive freezing) in public establishments, such as restaurants where raw fish is consumed, is essential in order to prevent the circulation of the parasite. Moreover, the Anisakis larvae monitoring performed in this study may contribute to support the new challenges for sustainable aquaculture. In conclusion, a parasitological survey for Anisakis spp. larvae present in fish caught in Albania is crucial to ensure food safety, since the parasite being present in fish is a threat to public health.