The clinical characteristics of Anisakis allergy in Korea.
Anisakidae larvae can cause anisakiasis when ingested by humans. Although several groups have reported a gastrointestinal Anisakis allergy among people in Spain and Japan, our report is the first to summarize the clinical features of 10 Anisakis allergy cases in Korea. We enrolled 10 Korean patients (6 men and 4 women) who complained of aggravated allergic symptoms after ingesting raw fish or seafood. Sensitization to Anisakis was confirmed by detecting serum specific IgE to Anisakis simplex. The most common manifestation of anisakiasis was urticaria (100%), followed by abdominal pain (30%) and anaphylaxis (30%). All patients presenting with these symptoms also exhibited high serum specific IgE (0.45 to 100 kU/L) to A. simplex. Nine patients (90%) exhibited atopy and increased total serum IgE levels. The fish species suspected of carrying the Anisakis parasite were flatfish (40%), congers (40%), squid (30%), whelk (10%), and tuna (10%). Anisakis simplex should be considered as a possible causative food allergen in adult patients presenting with urticaria, angioedema, and anaphylaxis following the consumption of raw fish or seafood.
Choi
Sung-Jin
SJ
Department of Allergy & Rheumatology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Youngtong-gu, Suwon, Korea.
Lee
Jae-Chun
JC
Kim
Moo-Jung
MJ
Hur
Gyu-Young
GY
Shin
Seung-Youp
SY
Park
Hae-Sim
HS
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000276:immunology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000276:immunology; D000799:Angioedema / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D017129:Anisakiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology / Q000276:immunology*; D017163:Anisakis / Q000276:immunology*; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood*; D044466:Asian People; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017747:Seafood / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000469:parasitology; D014581:Urticaria / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult
D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D007073:Immunoglobulin E