occurrence and intensity of anisakid nematode larvae in some commercially important fish species in persian gulf

background: anisakid nematodes are common parasites of fish, mammals, fish-eating birds, and reptiles with a worldwide distribution, causing diseases in human, fish and important economic losses. methods: a preliminary epidemiological study was carried out on anisakid nematodes larvae in some commercially important fish species to evaluate the anisakid nematode larvae from greater lizardfish, ( saurida tumbil) , japanese thread fin bream ( nemipterus japonicus ), crocodile longtom ( tylosurus crocodilus crocodiles ) and longfin trevally ( carangoides armatus ) from the persian gulf of iran. result: the collected larvae were identified mainly as the third larval stage (l3) of hysterothylacium larval type a, b and c, anisakis sp., raphidascaris sp., pseudoterranova sp. and philometra sp. (nematoda: philometridae). the prevalence of anisakid larvae infection of examined fishes was 97.2% in n. japonicus , 90.3% in s. tumbil, 20.5% in crocodile longtom and 5.5% in longfin trevally. anisakis type iii for the first time was different from anisakis type i and anisakis type ii. discussion: zoonotic anisakids by high prevalence in edible fish could be a health hazard for people. so health practices should be considered in these areas.