Anisakis, anisakidosis, and allergy to Anisakis

In this issue of Allergy, three papers (1-3) report on various aspects of allergy to Anisakis. Since this disorder may be less well known to readers, some comments and clarification are in order, Anisakis simplex (Rudolphi, 1809) is a nematode belonging to the Anisakidae farnily, which includes Anisakis, Pseudoterranova, and Contracaecum, found as parasites in fish, cephalopods, crustaceans, and marine mammals. Two types of Anisakis larvae (I and II) (4), as well as two Pseudoterranova parasites (A and B), have been recognized. The adult stage of A. simplex is found in whales, dolphins, seals, and sea lions. The eggs of the adult are ingested by the tiny crustaceans on which fish and cephalopods feed. In these hosts, the larvae reach the third stage. Ultimately, sea mammals feed on the parasitized fish and cephalopods, and A. simplex evolves into its adult form, thus completing its life cycle, Man can become an accidental host of the larvae in stage 3 (L3) by eating the parasitized crustaceans, cephalopods, and fish. Other species of animals can also be affected, as has been observed in cats (5),

[1]  I. Moneo,et al.  Periodate treatment of Anisakis simplex allergens , 1997, Allergy.

[2]  C. Pascual,et al.  Cross‐reactivity between IgE‐binding proteins from Anisakis German cockroach, and chironomids , 1997, Allergy.

[3]  I. Moneo,et al.  Anisakis simplex, a relevant etiologic factor in acute urticaria , 1997, Allergy.

[4]  P. Cosmes Martin,et al.  Allergy to foods in patients monosensitized to Artemisia pollen , 1996, Allergy.

[5]  M. Okano,et al.  Epitope analysis of HLA‐DR‐restricted helper T‐cell responses to Der p II, a major allergen molecule of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus , 1996, Allergy.

[6]  D. Muñoz,et al.  Recurrent anaphylaxis caused by Anisakis simplex parasitizing fish. , 1995, The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology.

[7]  J. Chai,et al.  Recovery of Pseudoterranova decipiens (Anisakidae) larvae from codfish of the Antarctic Ocean. , 1995, The Korean journal of parasitology.

[8]  H. Chung,et al.  [Infection status of anisakid larvae in anchovies purchased from local fishery market near southern and eastern sea in Korea]. , 1995, The Korean journal of parasitology.

[9]  K. Nagasawa,et al.  Larval anisakid nematodes of Japanese common squid (Todarodes pacificus) from the Sea of Japan. , 1995, The Journal of parasitology.

[10]  W. Sohn,et al.  Intestinal parasites of cats purchased in Seoul. , 1993, The Korean journal of parasitology.

[11]  J. Chai,et al.  [Infection status of the sea eel (Astroconger myriaster) purchased from the Noryangjin fish market with anisakid larvae]. , 1992, Kisaengch'unghak chapchi. The Korean journal of parasitology.

[12]  T. Koyama,et al.  Anisakidae larvae found in marine fishes and squids from the Gulf of Tongking, the East China Sea and the Yellow Sea. , 1991, Japanese journal of medical science & biology.

[13]  M. Kent,et al.  Prevalence of Larval Anisakis simplex in Pen-reared and Wild-caught Salmon (Salmonidae) from Puget Sound, Washington , 1989, Journal of wildlife diseases.

[14]  L. Paggi,et al.  [Infestation by larvae of Anisakis simplex A and Anisakis physeteris in fish species of the Italian seas]. , 1989, Parassitologia.

[15]  Weiyi Huang.  Anisakidés et anisakidoses humaines - Deuxième partie : Enquête sur les Anisakidés de poissons commerciaux du marché parisien , 1988 .

[16]  W. Huang.  [Anisakids and human anisakiasis. 2. Investigation of the anisakids of commercial fish in the district of Paris]. , 1988, Annales de parasitologie humaine et comparee.