Anisakiasis: Report of 15 Gastric Cases Caused by Anisakis Type I Larvae and a Brief Review of Korean Anisakiasis Cases

The present study was performed to report 15 anisakiasis cases in Korea and to review the Korean cases reported in the literature. Total 32 Anisakis type I larvae were detected in the stomach of 15 patients by the endoscopy. Single worm was detected from 12 cases, and even 9 larvae were found from 2 cases. Epigastric pain was most commonly manifested in almost all cases, and hemoptysis and hematemesis were seen in 1 case each. Symptom manifestations began at 10-12 hr after eating fish in 73.3% cases. Endoscopy was performed 1-2 days after the symptom onset in most cases. The common conger, Conger myriaster, was the probable infection source in 7 cases. In the review of Korean anisakiasis cases, thus far, total 645 cases have been reported in 64 articles. Anisakis type I larva was the most frequently detected (81.3%). The favorable infection site of larvae was the stomach (82.4%). The common conger was the most probable source of human infections (38.6%). Among the total 404 cases which revealed the age and sex of patients, 185 (45.8%) were males, and the remaining 219 (54.2%) were female patients. The age prevalence was the highest in forties (34.7%). The seasonal prevalence was highest in winter (38.8%). By the present study, 15 cases of gastric anisakiasis are added as Korean cases, and some epidemiological characteristics of Korean anisakiasis were clarified.

Occurrence and Molecular Identification of Anisakis Dujardin, 1845 from Marine Fish in Southern Makassar Strait, Indonesia

Anisakis spp. (Nematoda: Anisakidae) parasitize a wide range of marine animals, mammals serving as the definitive host and different fish species as intermediate or paratenic hosts. In this study, 18 fish species were investigated for Anisakis infection. Katsuwonus pelamis, Euthynnus affinis, Caranx sp., and Auxis thazard were infected with high prevalence of Anisakis type I, while Cephalopholis cyanostigma and Rastrelliger kanagurta revealed low prevalence. The mean intensity of Anisakis larvae in K. pelamis and A. thazard was 49.7 and 5.6, respectively. A total of 73 Anisakis type I larvae collected from K. pelamis and A. thazard were all identified as Anisakis typica by PCR-RFLP analysis. Five specimens of Anisakis from K. pelamis and 15 specimens from A. thazard were sequenced using ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region and 6 specimens from A. thazard and 4 specimens from K. pelamis were sequenced in mtDNA cox2 region. Alignments of the samples in the ITS region showed 2 patterns of nucleotides. The first pattern (genotype) of Anisakis from A. thazard had 100% similarity with adult A. typica from dolphins from USA, whereas the second genotype from A. thazard and K. pelamis had 4 base pairs different in ITS1 region with adult A. typica from USA. In the mtDNA cox2 regions, Anisakis type I specimens from A. thazard and K. pelamis showed similarity range from 94% to 99% with A. typica AB517571/DQ116427. The difference of 4 bp nucleotides in ITS1 regions and divergence into 2 subgroups in mtDNA cox2 indicating the existence of A. typica sibling species in the Makassar Strait.

Larval Anisakid Infections in Marine Fish from Three Sea Areas of the Republic of Korea

The present study was performed to determine the infection status of anisakid larvae in marine fish collected from 3 sea areas of the Republic of Korea. Total 86 marine fish (8 species) collected from the East Sea (Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do), 171 fish (10 species) from the South Sea (Sacheon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do), and 92 fish (7 species) from the Yellow Sea (Incheon Metropolitan City) were examined by both naked eyes and artificial digestion method. Among the total of 349 fish examined, 213 (61.0%) were infected with 8 species of anisakid larvae, i.e., Anisakis simplex, 6 types of Contracaecum spp., and Raphidascaris sp., and the mean larval density was 13.8 per infected fish. Anisakid larvae were detected in 45 fish (52.3%) from the East Sea, 131 fish (76.6%) from the South Sea, and 37 fish (40.2%) from the Yellow Sea. The average numbers of larvae detected were 4.0, 16.6, and 15.9, respectively. Anisakis simplex larvae were detected in 149 fish (42.7%), and the mean larval density was 9.0 per infected fish. They were found in 26 fish (30.2%) collected from the East Sea, 96 fish (56.1%) from the South Sea, and 27 fish (29.3%) from the Yellow Sea. The average numbers of larvae detected were 2.9, 10.3, and 10.5, respectively. Conclusively, the present study suggests that the infection rate and density of anisakid larvae are more or less higher in the fish from the South Sea than those from the East Sea or the Yellow Sea.

Seroprevalence of Antibodies against Anisakis simplex Larvae among Health-Examined Residents in Three Hospitals of Southern Parts of Korea

The present study was performed to estimate the seroprevalence of larval Anisakis simplex infection among the residents health-examined in 3 hospitals in southern parts of Korea. A total of 498 serum samples (1 serum per person) were collected in 3 hospitals in Busan Metropolitan city, Masan city, and Geoje city in Gyeongsangnam-do (Province) and were examined by IgE-ELISA and IgE-western blotting with larval A. simplex crude extract and excretory-secretory products (ESP). The prevalence of antibody positivity was 5.0% and 6.6% with ELISA against crude extracts and ESP, respectively. It was also revealed that infection occurred throughout all age groups and higher in females than in males. A specific protein band of 130 kDa was detected from 10 patients with western blot analysis against crude extract and ESP among those who showed positive results by ELISA. Our study showed for the first time the seroprevalence of anisakiasis in Korea. The allergen of 130 kDa can be a candidate for serologic diagnosis of anisakiasis.

Anisakiasis, un atentado culinario prevenible contra el tracto gastrointestinal / Anisakiasis, a preventable culinary attempt for the gastrointestinal tract

Nuevos hábitos culinarios se han esparcido, desde las culturas originales, para convertirse en costumbres universales. El riesgo que esta globalización puede aparejar probablemente sea subestimado, a no ser que los gastroenterólogos estén conscientes de nuevas enfermedades relacionadas, por ejemplo, con la presencia de agentes infecciosos. Anisakiasis es una de tales enfermedades, relacionadas con la ingestión de pescado crudo o poco cocido, que se presenta en la cultura japonesa, (“el sushi”, “sashimi”), áreas en Sudamérica (“ceviche”), España (“anchoas de vinagre”) y Países Bajos (el pescado crudo). La prevención, está relacionada con la manipulación apropiada, la cocción adecuada y el almacenamiento en frío del pescado. Anisakiasis podría convertirse en un problema clínico serio, debido al compromiso gástrico con ulceraciones, dolor y raras veces pseudotumores en la pared digestiva. El compromiso del intestino delgado es también considerable, secundario a una reacción inflamatoria local severa con edema y estenosis intestinal que simula una obstrucción intestinal. El tratamiento esteroidal generalmente resuelve la crisis, de lo contrario la cirugía es requerida. La reacción alérgica a la presencia del parásito puede llegar a ser un grave problema. La presente revisión trata de aspectos clínicos patológicos, así como del ciclo del parásito, instrumentos diagnósticos y manejo terapéutico.

New culinary habits have been spread, from their original cultures, to become universally known today. They are probably not or insufficiently considered as risky, unless the gastroenterologists become aware of new diseases related for instance with the presence of infective agents. Anisakiasis is one of such diseases, related with the ingestion of raw or undercooked fish, with occurrence in the Japanese culture, (“Sushi”, “sashimi”), areas in South America (“Ceviche”), Spain (“vinegar anchovies”) and The Netherlands (Raw fish). Prevention is related with proper manipulation, cooking and fish frozen storage. Anisakiasis could become a severe clinical problem, because of gastric involvement with ulcerations, pain and rarely intramural pseudotumors. Small intestine involvement is also considerable due to severe inflammatory local reaction, with edema and intense narrowing of the intestinal lumen that mimics intestinal obstruction. Steroidal treatment often solves the crisis. Allergic and general reaction to the occurrence of the parasite is also sometimes a big problem. The present review deals with clinical pathological aspects, as well as parasite cycle, diagnostic tools and treatment.

Possible influence of the ENSO phenomenon on the pathoecology of diphyllobothriasis and anisakiasis in ancient Chinchorro populations

Current clinical data show a clear relationship between the zoonosis rates of Diphyllobothrium pacificum and Anisakis caused by the El Niño Southern Oscillations (ENSO) phenomenon along the Chilean coast. These parasites are endemic to the region and have a specific habitat distribution. D. pacificum prefers the warmer waters in the northern coast, while Anisakis prefers the colder waters of Southern Chile. The ENSO phenomenon causes a drastic inversion in the seawater temperatures in this region, modifying both the cool nutrient-rich seawater and the local ecology. This causes a latitudinal shift in marine parasite distribution and prevalence, as well as drastic environmental changes. The abundance of human mummies and archaeological coastal sites in the Atacama Desert provides an excellent model to test the ENSO impact on antiquity. We review the clinical and archaeological literature debating to what extent these parasites affected the health of the Chinchorros, the earliest settlers of this region. We hypothesise the Chinchorro and their descendants were affected by this natural and cyclical ENSO phenomenon and should therefore present fluctuating rates of D. pacificum and Anisakis infestations.

Anisakidae parasitos de congro-rosa, Genypterus brasiliensis Regan, 1903 comercializados no estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil de interesse na saúde pública / Anisakidae parasites of cusk-eel, Genypterus brasiliensis Regan, 1903 purchased in the Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil and of interest in public health

The aim of this study was to identify the species Anisakidae, of interest to public health, parasitizing the cusk-eel, Genypterus brasiliensis Regan, 1903 purchased in markets ofNiteroi and Rio de Janeiro counties, Brazil, emphasizing their parasite indexes, sites of infection and higienic-sanitary importance. Seventy-four specimens ofG brasiliensis were necropsiedfrom October 2002 to September 2003. Twenty fish specimens (27 percent>) were parasitized by live larvae of Anisakidae. The collected species were represented by Anisakis physeteris, Anisakis simplex, Anisakis sp., Pseudoterranova decipiens, Pseudoterranova sp., Hysterothylacium sp., Raphidascaris sp., Contracaecum sp. and Terranova sp. The species Anisakis sp. and A. simplex presented the higher prevalences, both with 13,5 percent whereas A. physeteris presented the lower prevalence 1,35 percent. The other species, Pseudoterranova sp., P. decipiens, Hysterothylacium sp., Raphidascaris sp., Contracaecum sp. and Terranova sp. presented prevalences of 10,8 percent, 5,4 percent, 2,7 percent, 4,1 percent, 1,4 percent and 1,4 percent, respectively. The sites of infection were, the mesentery, stomach and intestinal seroses, intestine, ovary and musculature.

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar as especies de Anisakidae parasitando congro-rosa, Genypterus brasiliensis Regan, 1903 comercializados nos mercados dos municipios de Niterói e Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, de interesse em saúde pública, enfatizando seus índices parasitarios, sitios de infecção e importância higiénico-sanitária. Setenta e quatro espécimes de G. brasiliensis foram necropsiados de outubro de 2002 a setembro de 2003. Vinte peixes (27 por cento) estavam parasitados por larvas vivas de nematóides Anisakidae: Anisakis physeteris, Anisakis simplex, Anisakis sp., Pseudoterranova decipiens, Pseudoterranova sp., Hysterothylacium sp., Raphidascaris sp., Contracaecum sp. e Terranova sp. As especies Anisakis sp. e A. simplex foram as especies que apresentaram maior prevalência, ambos com 13,5 por cento e A. physeteris a menor prevalência 1,35 por cento. As demais especies, Pseudoterranova sp., P decipiens, Hysterothylacium sp., Raphidascaris sp., Contracaecum sp. e Terranova sp. apresentaram as seguintes prevalências 10,8 por cento, 5,4 por cento, 2,7 por cento, 4,1 por cento, 1,4 por cento e 1,4 por cento, respectivamente. Os sitios de infecção foram o mesentério, serosa do estómago e intestinal, instestino, ovario e musculatura.

Anisakids in marine fish from the coast of Chon Buri Province, Thailand.

A total of 1,600 specimens, consisting of 16 different species of marine fish, were dissected and examined for anisakid larvae and adults in visceral organs, abdominal cavity, and muscles. One species of adult-stage nematode was found in two of 16 species of marine fish studied, Johnius carouna and Dendrophysa russelli. No anisakid larvae (third-stage) was found in any of the 16 species of marine fish studied. Morphological study of the adult-stage nematode showed similar morphology to Anisakis simplex. We found that the nematode adult recovered from the marine fish differed from other anisakids in morphology, life cycle and locality of infection in the fish. The anisakid adults recovered were ovoviviparous or larviparous, but not oviparous as is seen in most other anisakids. The intensity and prevalence of nematode infection in Johnius carouna were 2.4 and 31.7%, respectively, and in Dendrophysa russelli 3.9 and 87.5%, respectively.

The infection status of anisakid larvae in marine fish and cephalopods from the Bohai Sea, China and their taxonomical consideration

The infection status of anisakid larvae was examined in 290 marine fish of 25 species and in 108 cephalopods of 3 species purchased in Bayuquan region, Yingko city nearby the coast of the Bohai Sea from may to August 1992. A total of 7,327 larvae were collected from 156 fish of 19 species and 8 squids of one species. The 3rd-stage larvae of Anisakis simplex were collected from 121 fish (63.4%) of 15 species (N = 191) and from 8 squids (14.8%) of one species (N = 54), and they were total, 5,992 (81.8%). Out of remaining 1,335 larvae, 154 (2.1%) were classified as Thynnascaris type B from 23 fish of 4 species, 1,013 (13.8%) as Thynnascaris type C from 79 fish of 13 species. 164 (2.2%) as Hysterothylacium China type V from 20 fish of 4 species, 3 (0.04%) as Raphidascaris from 3 fish of 2 species and one was Pseudoterranova decipiens larva.