Specific IgE determination to Ani s 1, a major allergen from Anisakis simplex, is a useful tool for diagnosis.
BACKGROUND
The most serious limitation of the serodiagnosis of parasitoses is the occurrence of cross-reactions.


OBJECTIVE
The possible use of Anisakis simplex major allergen Ani s 1 for diagnosis.


METHODS
Forty-nine non-fish-allergic patients with Anisakis simplex hypersensitivity, 21 patients without allergic episodes suffering intestinal anisakiasis with obstruction of the intestinal lumen, and 10 unrelated sera as a control were included in this study to determine specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E and IgG to Anisakis simplex major allergen Ani s 1 by immunoblotting.


RESULTS
Eighty-six percent of patients with Anisakis simplex hypersensitivity showed specific IgE directed to Ani s 1. Identical result was obtained for IgG detection in this group. Among patients with intestinal anisakiasis, 86% showed specific IgE, but only 29% had specific IgG (P < 0.001, two-tailed Fisher exact test). One of the 10 control subjects was positive both for IgE and IgG (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Determination of specific IgE directed to Anisakis simplex major allergen Ani s 1 is a useful tool for the diagnosis of hypersensitivity and intestinal anisakiasis. Further, measurement of specific IgG directed to Anisakis simplex major allergen Ani s 1 is only valid for Anisakis simplex allergy.
Centro de Investigación Clínica y Medicina Preventiva, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain. mlcsoto@hotmail.com
María Luisa
ML
Caballero
Ignacio
I
Moneo
D000485:Allergens; D000818:Animals; D017129:Anisakiasis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017163:Anisakis / Q000276:immunology*; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D005399:Fishes / Q000469:parasitology; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood
D000485:Allergens; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D015801:Helminth Proteins; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; C412511:troponin-like protein, Anisakis simplex; D007073:Immunoglobulin E