Rapid test to detect the infection load of the parasite, Anguillicola crassus, in the European eel Anguilla anguilla

Anguillicola crassus is a nematode parasite of the swim bladder originally endemic to Japanese eels, Anguilla japonica. A. crassus was introduced into Europe in the 80’s since when it has spread widely and is thought to... [ view full abstract ]

Anguillicola crassus is a nematode parasite of the swim bladder originally endemic to Japanese eels, Anguilla japonica. A. crassus was introduced into Europe in the 80’s since when it has spread widely and is thought to contribute to the rapide decline in the European eel. Currently, the only way to detect the parasite is to dissect the eel. We are developing a non-lethal rapid test based on presence/absence of eggs and L2 larvae in the faecal material. A faecal wash had been performed on  c.60 European eels in the Burrishoole catchment in Ireland. qPCR primers were designed based on CO1, 18s specific genes and transcriptome available in the literature. Primers were tested using pure A. crassus DNA and and related nematodes to establish the specificity. To validate the test 24 eels were fecal sampled, euthanized, dissected, and the number of worms counted in the swim bladder. The rapid test is in an optimisation phase and we hope will be a valulable tool for fisheries managers hopeing to interrupt transmission of the parasite.