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Background:
Anisakis simplex is
responsible for
allergic symptoms
after repeated
ingestion or contact
with parasitized
fish.
Objective: To
further analyze type
I and IV immunologic
mechanisms in a
group of patients
with allergic
reactions to A
simplex, we
performed
prick-by-prick
testing with A
simplex larvae and
patch tests with
live, cooked, or
frozen larvae of the
A simplex parasite.
Methods:
Thirty-eight
patients underwent
skin prick test and
radioallergosorbent
test with inhalant
allergens, foods,
and A simplex.
Prick-by-prick tests
with A simplex and
patch tests with
live, cooked, and
frozen larvae were
carried out in 10
patients with
evidence of allergy
to A simplex.
Results:
Prick-by-prick
testing yielded a
positive result in
100% of cases with
live larvae and in
70% with cooked and
frozen larvae. Patch
tests with A simplex
were positive in 8
patients for live
larvae, in 3
patients for frozen
larvae, and in 1
patient for cooked
larvae.
Conclusion:
Our data emphasize
that A simplex is
responsible for both
immediate allergic
reactions and
cell-mediated
(delayed) reactions,
in particular in
subjects with
occupational
exposure. In
addition, our data
demonstrate that not
only live but also
frozen and cooked
larvae can induce
sensitization. This
observation may be
explained by
differences in the
allergenic proteins
involved, and
further studies will
be required to
address this
possibility.
Key words:
Allergic contact
dermatitis. Anisakis
simplex. Patch test.
Specific
immunoglobulin E.
Skin prick test.
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