title: Anti-Anisakis IgE seroprevalence in the healthy Croatian coastal population and associated risk factors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The main objective of the study was to determine the degree of sensitization to Anisakis spp. antigens in healthy coastal population of Dalmatia given the high thermally unprocessed fish intake rate present in this area, suggested as a significant risk factor for anisakiasis. We performed a monocenter, cross-sectional pilot study stratified by geographic area of residence, conducted at the County secondary healthcare provider Medicine-biochemical Laboratory in Split (Croatia), from November 2010 till December 2011, on 500 unpaid volunteer subjects undergoing routine blood analysis and belonging to the south coast of the Adriatic Sea.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We studied the IgE seroprevalence to Anisakis spp. Ani s l and Ani s 7 allergens by indirect ELISA in healthy subjects, which were selected at random in the region of Dalmatia (Southern Croatia), among islands, coastal urban and inland rural populations. In order to detect possible cross-reactivity to other human helminthes, serum samples were tested also for the presence of IgG antibodies to Ascaris lumbricoides and Toxocara canis. The overall and coastal Anisakis seroprevalences for the sampled population were 2% and 2.5%, respectively. The logistic univariate regression analysis confirmed that regarding anti-Anisakis IgE seroprevalence, raw fish intake, daily fish intake, homemade origin of fish dish and occupational contact (professional, artisanal or hobby contact with fishery or fish industry) were risk factors associated to Anisakis spp. sensitization, but neither of the variables was exclusive for a particular seropositive population. Also, a significant difference was observed between seropositive and seronegative subjects that had stated allergy or symptoms associated with allergy (atopic dermatitis, asthma or rhinitis) in their previous history.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Being the first in Croatia, our study underlines the necessity of incorporating Anisakis spp. allergens in routine hypersensitivity testing of coastal population.
authors: Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Laboratory of Aquaculture, Split, Croatia.
authors: Ivona
authors: I
authors: Mladineo
authors: Health Ecology Department, Croatian National Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors: Vedran
authors: V
authors: Poljak
authors: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
authors: Victoria
authors: V
authors: Martínez-Sernández
authors: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
authors: Florencio M
authors: FM
authors: Ubeira
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D017129:Anisakiasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D017163:Anisakis / Q000276:immunology*; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood*; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000276:immunology; D017523:Croatia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D017747:Seafood
chemical_list: D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D007073:Immunoglobulin E