Exposure to the fish parasite Anisakis causes allergic airway hyperreactivity and dermatitis

Case Report – Heteronybelinia spp. in Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus, 1766)

“…This process can occur due to seafood ingestion or contaminants substances, such as histamine, toxins, and parasites [44]. In sensitized hosts, this reaction could even been caused by cooked parasitized seafood, once allergens are resistant to the heat [45].…”

Anisakis pegreffii-Induced Airway Hyperresponsiveness Is Mediated by Gamma Interferon in the Absence of Interleukin-4 Receptor Alpha Responsiveness

“…The importance of the problem is demonstrated by studies that have found Anisakis to be a leading cause of food allergy in Spain (2) and have found a higher prevalence of sensitization to Anisakis than to seafood among almost 5 million Japanese (24). Anisakis is also an important cause of occupational allergy in fish-processing workers, as shown in a recent epidemiological study by our group, including 578 workers from fish-processing factories in South Africa, in which Anisakis sensitization was associated with dermatitis and nonspecific bronchial hyperreactivity (37). Because sensitization to Anisakis was associated with increased fish consumption, we investigated the underlying immune mechanisms by infecting mice with Anisakis L 3 and subsequently challenging them orally with an Anisakis crude antigen extract.…”

“…Because sensitization to Anisakis was associated with increased fish consumption, we investigated the underlying immune mechanisms by infecting mice with Anisakis L 3 and subsequently challenging them orally with an Anisakis crude antigen extract. This induced striking allergic reactions, including airway inflammation and lung mucus hypersecretion, which were associated with T-helper 2 (Th2)/type 2 responses (37). Furthermore, mice exposed epicutaneously to Anisakis proteins developed protein contact dermatitis (36).…”

Parametrial Anisakidosis

“…Rarely, allergic reactions can manifest as allergic gingivostomatitis, intractable chronic pruritus, nephrotic syndrome, autoimmune pancreatitis, or rheumatic manifestations (43)(44)(45)(46)(47). Anisakid sensitization in fish-processing workers has been associated with bronchial hyperreactivity and dermatitis (48).…”