To comprehend the pressures faced by marine mammals, it is imperative to understand their parasite loads and the resulting impacts. This study examined the stomach parasite burden and investigated the relationship between parasite burden and health-related variables in 78 stranded common dolphins (CD) collected along the Irish coastline between 2017-2019. Histological analysis of gastric ulcers was undertaken to determine the presence of any pathological changes. Dolphin stomachs were dissected, all nematode parasites were recovered and preserved in 70% ethanol. Individual parasites were all identified as nematodes belonging to the genus Anisakis. Additional to adult nematodes L3, and L4 larval stages were observed. A total of 456,422 anisakid specimens were estimated from the stomach chambers of 78 dolphins. Parasite prevalence was 89% (95% CI: 79–95%), mean abundance was 5,850 worms (95% CI: 4010-9620), and mean intensity was 6,610 worms (95% CI: 4,510-10,700). A generalized linear model with a negative binomial error structure revealed that year, age, cause of death, and nutritional status were significantly associated with parasite abundance. Histological examination revealed that ulcered tissue had inflammatory cells and parasitic remnants while healthy tissue did not. Suspected Anisakis eggs were also observed in gastric ulcers. This study highlights the importance of considering parasite infections along with other health parameters when evaluating the health status of marine mammals.
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