Gastrointestinal infection due to Anisakis simplex in southern Italy.

The authors present four cases of infection due to Anisakis in an area where people are prone to infectious diseases transmitted by raw fish, but in which the presence of this parasite has never been reported. Three of four cases were discovered accidently during surgical procedures for co-existing abdominal pathologies. Raw fish was apparently not involved in all patients. Characteristics of the patients are discussed.