Foods (Sep 2024)

Screening of Anisakis-Related Allergies and Associated Factors in a Mediterranean Community Characterized by High Seafood Consumption

  • Santo Fruscione,
  • Maria Barrale,
  • Maurizio Zarcone,
  • Davide Alba,
  • Barbara Ravazzolo,
  • Miriam Belluzzo,
  • Rosa Onida,
  • Gaetano Cammilleri,
  • Antonella Costa,
  • Vincenzo Ferrantelli,
  • Alessandra Savatteri,
  • Daniele Domenico De Bella,
  • Salvatore Pipitone,
  • Alida D’Atria,
  • Alessia Pieri,
  • Fabio Tramuto,
  • Claudio Costantino,
  • Carmelo Massimo Maida,
  • Giorgio Graziano,
  • Marialetizia Palomba,
  • Simonetta Mattiucci,
  • Ignazio Brusca,
  • Walter Mazzucco

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13172821
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 17
p. 2821

Abstract

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Dietary changes expose consumers to risks from Anisakis larvae in seafood, leading to parasitic diseases and allergies. Anisakis is recognized by EFSA as a significant hazard, with potential oncogenic implications. Diagnostic advancements, like the Basophil Activation Test (BAT), enhance sensitivity and accuracy in identifying Anisakis sensitization, complementing traditional IgE tests. We conducted a cross-sectional study on patients with allergic symptoms from April 2021 to April 2023 at two outpatient clinics in western Sicily. Our goal was to assess the prevalence of Anisakis-related allergies and to identify risk profiles using specific Anisakis IgE and the BAT, especially in regions with high raw fish consumption. The study evaluated specific Anisakis IgE as a screening tool for Anisakis sensitization, using questionnaires, blood samples, and immuno-allergology analyses. Anisakis-specific IgE values were compared with the BAT results, with statistical analyses including Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression. The results showed an 18.5% seroprevalence of Anisakis IgE, while the BAT as a second-level test showed 4.63%, indicating the BAT’s superior specificity and accuracy. The study highlighted the importance of the BAT in diagnosing Anisakis sensitization, especially in cases of cross-reactivity with Ascaris and tropomyosin. The findings confirm the BAT’s exceptional specificity in identifying Anisakis sensitization and support using Anisakis-specific IgE for population-based risk profiling. The BAT can effectively serve as a confirmatory test.

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