New Perspectives on the Diagnosis of Allergy to Anisakis spp.

Purpose Of Review: To compare the prevalence of sensitization in different countries based on specific IgE values and to evaluate the use of isolated native or recombinant allergens for diagnosis.

Recent Findings: Isolated allergens help in the diagnosis of truly sensitized patients avoiding false positives due to cross-reactions. Their use is therefore highly recommended, especially when used as a combination of several relevant allergens.

Changes over Time in IgE Sensitization to Allergens of the Fish Parasite Anisakis spp.

Background: Sensitization to Anisakis spp. can produce allergic reactions after eating raw or undercooked parasitized fish. Specific IgE is detected long after the onset of symptoms, but the changes in specific IgE levels over a long follow-up period are unknown; furthermore, the influence of Anisakis spp.

IgE sensitization to Thaumetopoea pityocampa : diagnostic utility of a setae extract, clinical picture and associated risk factors.

Background: Setae from Thaumetopoea pityocampa larvae (the pine processionary moth or PPM) can induce hypersensitivity reactions, but their clinical role in IgE-mediated responses is still subject to discussion. The aim of this study was to evaluate a setae extract for in vivo and in vitro diagnosis in nonhospitalized patients with reactions to PPM.

Methods: Forty-eight adult patients presenting with PPM cutaneous reactions were studied by skin prick test (SPT) and specific IgE using setae and whole larval (WL) extracts.

Proteomic profiling and characterization of differential allergens in the nematodes Anisakis simplex sensu stricto and A. pegreffii.

The parasite species complex Anisakis simplex sensu lato (Anisakis simplex sensu stricto; (A. simplex s.s.

Identification of autoclave-resistant Anisakis simplex allergens.

Anisakis simplex is a fish parasite able to induce allergic reactions in humans infected when eating raw or undercooked fish parasitized with viable third-stage larvae. Some authors claim that exposure to nonviable Anisakis material can result in allergic symptoms in previously sensitized patients, indicating that parasite allergens are resistant to the thermal treatments of usual cooking procedures. Furthermore, some patients report symptoms after eating canned fish.

Setae from the pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) contain several relevant allergens.

Background: Pine processionary larvae produce urticating hairs (setae) that serve for protection against predators. Setae induce cutaneous reactions in animals and humans. The presence of toxic or allergic mechanisms is a matter of debate.

Anisakis simplex recombinant allergens increase diagnosis specificity preserving high sensitivity.

Background: So far, the frequency of Anisakis simplex-specific IgE antibodies has been determined by skin prick tests (SPTs) and the ImmunoCAP system. These commercial methods have good sensitivity, but their specificity is poor because they use complete parasite extracts. Our aim was to determine the frequency of sensitization to A.

Characterization of occupational sensitization by multiallergen immunoblotting in workers exposed to laboratory animals.

Background: Studies have estimated that 10% to 23% of workers exposed to laboratory animals report symptoms of laboratory animal allergy.

Objectives: To determine the level of occupational sensitization in workers exposed to laboratory animals and to develop a diagnosis system based on a multiallergen IgE immunoblot.

Methods: A total of 75 workers exposed to laboratory animals were initially studied with skin prick tests performed with animal epithelia extracts.

Prevalence of cutaneous reactions to the pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) in an adult population.

Background: Thaumetopoea pityocampa [pine processionary moth (PPM)] is one of the most important lepidopteran agents causing urticant cutaneous reactions in humans in Mediterranean countries. This species is also expanding northwards, because of global warming.

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence, distribution by habitat group and possible risk factors of PPM cutaneous reactions in adults.

Ani s 10, a new Anisakis simplex allergen: cloning and heterologous expression.

Anisakiasis is a human disease caused by accidental ingestion of larval nematodes belonging to the Anisakidae family. Anisakiasis is often associated with a strong allergic response. Diagnosis of A.

Gal d 6 is the second allergen characterized from egg yolk.

Only one allergen from the egg yolk, alpha-livetin (Gal d 5) has been described thus far. A new egg yolk allergen was detected studying 27 egg allergic patients. The study was performed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and IgE-immunoblotting and IgE-immunoblotting-inhibition assays.

Quantification of Anisakis simplex allergens in fresh, long-term frozen, and cooked fish muscle.

Fish-borne parasitic zoonoses such as Anisakiasis were once limited to people living in countries where raw or undercooked fish is traditionally consumed. Nowadays, several factors, such as the growing international markets, the improved transportation systems, the population movements, and the expansion of ethnic ways of cooking in developed countries, have increased the population exposed to these parasites. Improved diagnosis technology and a better knowledge of the symptoms by clinicians have increased the Anisakiasis cases worldwide.

Allergenic properties and cuticle microstructure of Anisakis simplex L3 after freezing and pepsin digestion.

This article examines the viability of and the alterations to the larval cuticle and the pattern of the antigens released when live or frozen Anisakis simplex larvae were treated with acid and pepsin. The results showed that freezing did not greatly alter the larva body. If ruptures were observed, the antigen release to the incubation media was not enhanced, and most of the antigenic content was retained inside the bodies of the larvae.

Isolation of Ani s 5, an excretory-secretory and highly heat-resistant allergen useful for the diagnosis of Anisakis larvae sensitization.

Allergens Ani s 1 and Ani s 4 have demonstrated their utility for the diagnosis of the sensitization to larvae of the genus Anisakis. The aim was to determine the number of patients with compatible clinical history, who did not recognize Ani s 1 and Ani s 4, and characterize the allergens responsible for their sensitization. Eighty-four patients were studied by CAP and immunoglobulin E (IgE) immunoblotting.

Identification and allergenic characterisation of a new isoform of the A. simplex allergen Ani s 4.

Anisakis simplex hypersensitivity is a growing disease in developed countries. A positive diagnosis usually leads to the dietary recommendation of avoiding fish and seafood consumption. The protein Ani s 4 is a clinically relevant allergen due to its heat and pepsin resistant properties and its importance in the anaphylaxis process.

Cloning and expression of Ani s 9, a new Anisakis simplex allergen.

The larvae of the nematode Anisakis simplex parasitize seafood. When people eat raw or undercooked parasitized fish, they can suffer anisakiasis, an important immune human response to parasitic infection of the gastrointestinal tract. Even more, allergic manifestations like angioedema, urticaria or anaphylaxis can occur in sensitized patients.

Analysis of basophil activation by flow cytometry in pediatric house dust mite allergy.

Detection of allergen-induced basophil activation by flow cytometry has been shown to be a useful tool for allergy diagnosis. The aim of this study was to assess the potential of this technique for the diagnosis of pediatric house dust mite allergy. Quantification of total and specific IgE and basophil activation test were performed to evaluate mite allergic (n = 24), atopic (n = 23), and non-allergic children (n = 9).

Occupational sensitization to fungal enzymes used in animal feed industry.

Background: Industrial enzymes cause the increasing prevalence of occupational hypersensitivity. Our objective was to study workers occupationally exposed to fungal enzymes in 2 animal feed factories to determine if the sensitization originated in the enzymes or was caused by the microorganism used to produce the enzymes.

Methods: Eighty-six consenting workers were studied by skin prick tests with extracts from the enzymatic products handled in their factories.

Sensitization to the fish parasite Anisakis simplex: clinical and laboratory aspects.

Hypersensitivity to Anisakis simplex is a worldwide medical problem. The parasite larvae die after freezing or cooking, but the tolerance of sensitized subjects to eating frozen fish remains a matter of controversy with contradictory findings. The aim of this study was to test if intolerance to properly cooked/frozen fish was due to the recognition of a particular allergen.

Cloning and characterisation of the Anisakis simplex allergen Ani s 4 as a cysteine-protease inhibitor.

Anisakis simplex is a nematode that can parasitise humans who eat raw or undercooked fish containing live L3s. Larvae invading the gastrointestinal mucosa excrete/secrete proteins implicated in the pathogenesis of anisakiasis that can induce IgE mediated symptoms. Misdiagnosis of anisakiasis, due to cross-reactivity, makes it necessary to develop new diagnostic tools.

Detection of Anisakis simplex-induced basophil activation by flow cytometry.

Background: Laboratory diagnosis of anisakidosis is based on specific serum IgE detection. Recently, detection of allergen-induced basophil activation by flow cytometry has been proposed as a valuable tool for allergy diagnosis.

Objective: To evaluate if detection of Anisakis-induced basophil activation by flow cytometry is a useful tool in the diagnosis of Anisakis allergy.