Characteristics related to fish consumption and the risk of ichthyozoonosis in a Colombian population

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to determine the dietary habits related to fish consumption and the risk factors associated with acquiring an ichthyo-zoonotic disease.Materials and Methods A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out by means of a structured survey administered to 150 individuals in the city of Cali, Colombia.Results Epidemiological variables regarding fish consumption and preparation were contrasted with the medical records of the respondents. The median fish consumption in the surveyed population was three times a month, with raw or salted/marinated fish once a month. A positive correlation between fish consumption and allergic conditions was confirmed. There was no infectious or parasitic history associated with the data on fish consumption.Conclusions A relationship between fish consumption and allergies was confirmed. Further research is necessary to establish the possible pathogens associated with hypersensitivity, such as parasites of the Anisakidae family.

Anisakidosis y otras ictiozoonosis ¿Qué riesgo representan para la salud humana en Colombia?

“…Colombia, es considerado uno de los países más diversos y ricos en recursos pesqueros, debido a que cuenta con dos Océanos, el Pacífico y Atlántico como mares territoriales limítrofes; a pesar de ello, el país registra un bajo consumo de pescado y mariscos, comparado con otros países de América del Sur y del mundo en general [1]. Sin embargo, la globalización ha impulsado el consumo de comidas a base de pescado con poca cocción; el sushi es uno de los casos más comerciales, con ello, ha aumentado el número de casos registrados con origen zoonótico alimentario [16].…”

“…Las ictiozoonosis son enfermedades producidas por la transmisión de un agente patógeno, virus, bacterias o parásitos a través del consumo de pescado infectado crudo o mal cocido [1]. Entre los parásitos, los helmintos, son los causantes del mayor número de ictiozoonosis en países en América Latina; sin embargo, son enfermedades desatendidas, poco pensadas y mínimamente investigadas.…”

Genera and Species of the Anisakidae Family and Their Geographical Distribution

“…The ability of this parasite to adapt to different hosts allows the Anisakidae family to be collected in different sea animals and should be considered as a natural event throughout the life cycle of the Anisakidae family and not as a contaminating agent on fishery products [ 71 ]. As a natural event, it is important that humans know about its existence and the different ways of preventing infestation, through food safety and sanitary measures, as well as education for people about preventing disease [ 1 ]. In addition, very important medical staff must be updated on Anisakiosis/Anisakiasis to consider it as a possible diagnosis, using specific diagnostic tests that allow the correct identification of the etiological agent and, if the medical staff does not have experience with seafood parasites, approach an expert [ 129 , 133 , 157 ].…”

“…Transmission of diseases to humans caused mainly by the consumption of fish or fishery products is known as ichthyozoonosis [ 1 ]. These diseases are of bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic etiology.…”

First report of IgE sensitization to Anisakis simplex in a healthy population in Colombia

“…However, fish consumption varies with culinary traditions along the world and is especially dependent of the geographical position of countries and regional availability of fishes. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the average annual fish consumption in Co-lombia is particularly low, with only 4.73 kg per capita, which contrast with countries as Spain (38 kg/year), Japan (54 kg/ year), and even the mean consumption in Latin America (18 kg/year) 2 . Yet globalization has facilitated the introduction of Mediterranean and Asian foods in diets worldwide, resulting in fish consumption increasing in countries with little or no tradition of it 3 .…”