We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastic Interaction in the Parasite Infection of Commercial Marine Puffer Fishes (Tetraodontiformes: Tetraodontidae) of the Campeche Coast, Mexico
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists studying puffer fish off the coast of Mexico found that fish with more microplastics (tiny plastic particles) in their systems tended to have higher levels of parasite infections and changes in their blood cells, suggesting these plastics may be weakening the fish's immune defenses. Since these puffer fish are commonly caught and sold for food, this matters because it raises questions about whether eating seafood contaminated with microplastics and parasites could pose extra health risks to people—though more research is needed to fully understand that connection.
BACKGROUND: Microplastics (MPs) serve as carriers of toxic compounds, which affects the resistance and susceptibility of fish to acquiring high parasitic infections and diseases. Moreover, the additive effect of MPs and parasites may cause a greater impact on host immunity and health. Despite the importance of the interaction between MPs and parasitic infections in aquatic organisms, these studies are scarce. METHOD: We collected a total of 69 L. laevigatus and 21 S. spengleri from Seybaplaya, Campeche, México, and 20 µl of blood was obtained from each fish for their blood differential. The parasites recovered from each fish were fixed and identified, and the infection parameters were calculated. MPs were identified and classified, then were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and OMNIC software. The data set was analyzed by generalized additive models of location, scale, and shape (GAMLSS). RESULTS: Through generalized additive model analysis, we observed a quantitative effect on parasite infection in wild puffer fish associated with MPs, with alteration in the different hematological line cells (ED 78%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We observed significant interaction among the infection levels, the differential blood cells, and MPs. That had a scalar impact of different magnitudes on both fish and human health. Therefore, it is important to understand the impact of MPs on parasitic infections of species considered an economically important resource, such as L. laevigatus and S. spengleri of the Campeche Coast and the Gulf of Mexico.
More Papers Like This
Ecotoxicological effects of low-density polyethylene microplastic on Heteropneustes fossilis: behavioral, hematological, biochemical, and histopathological impacts
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists exposed freshwater fish to tiny plastic particles (microplastics) from everyday items like plastic bags and found they caused serious health problems including blood disorders, organ damage, and weakened immune systems. The higher the amount of plastic particles, the worse the damage became to vital organs like gills, intestines, and liver. This matters because these same microplastics are found throughout our food chain and water supply, raising concerns about potential health risks for humans who consume contaminated fish and water.
Microplastics in the fish Dormitator maculatus from the Alvarado Lagoon, Veracruz, Mexico
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found 1,134 microplastic particles in the gills and digestive tracts of 127 fat sleeper fish from Mexico's Alvarado Lagoon, with an average of about 9 MPs per fish, and identified correlations between MP burden and biological health parameters in the sampled organisms.
Potentially pathogenic bacteria in the plastisphere from water, sediments, and commercial fish in a tropical coastal lagoon: An assessment and management proposal
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined the types of potentially harmful bacteria living on microplastics found in water, sediments, and commercial fish in a tropical coastal lagoon. They identified several pathogenic species colonizing the microplastic surfaces, which could pose risks when contaminated fish are consumed by humans. The study proposes management strategies to reduce the public health threat of microplastic-associated pathogens in fisheries.
Microplastic exposure and consumption increases susceptibility to gyrodactylosis and host mortality for a freshwater fish
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that guppies exposed to polypropylene microplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations showed significantly higher parasite burdens and increased mortality from gyrodactylid infections, demonstrating that microplastics can compromise disease resistance in fish.
Effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on host–parasite interactions in aquatic environments
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed how microplastics and nanoplastics affect the interactions between parasites and their hosts in aquatic environments. Evidence indicates that plastic particles can influence infection rates, parasite transmission, and host immune responses, though the effects vary widely depending on the species and type of plastic involved.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.