Incidence of sensitivity to Anisakis simplex in a risk population of fishermen/fishmongers.

BACKGROUND

Anisakis simplex, a fish and cephalopodes parasite, can cause either gastrointestinal symptoms or allergic reactions in humans on eating/handling contaminated fish.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to determine the capacity of Anisakis simplex to induce specific IgE production and allergic reactions following eating and handling fish in a population at risk.

METHODS

We determined the levels of total IgE, specific IgE, and eosinophil count in 28 fishermen/fishmongers (group A) and 15 healthy donors (group B). A skin prick test (SPT) with extracts from Anisakis and the most common species of fish in our country, were also carried out.

RESULTS

Specific IgE to Anisakis were found in 14 subjects of group A (13 of them had a positive SPT to the same extract) and none of group B (only one subject had a positive SPT). The SPT with fish extracts was positive in 4 patients of group A but in none of group B. Subjects in group A with specific IgE to Anisakis showed higher total IgE levels and eosinophil counts compared with either other individuals of the same group or to those of group B.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that fishermen/fishmongers are a population at risk for Anisakis simplex sensitization and suggest that this kind of sensitization should also be investigated not only in subjects like fishermen/fishmongers who live in countries where fish is likely to be contaminated with Anisakis simplex parasites, but also in those who handle fish for other reasons.