Anisakis – A food-borne parasite that triggers allergic host defences

• Anisakis is a food-borne nematode triggering allergic immune host responses.
• Anisakis allergens demonstrate immunological cross-reactivity to proteins of related nematodes and other invertebrates.
• The major allergens, tropomyosin and paramyosin, have very limited molecular associations with other parasite groups.
• Infection with Anisakis often results in allergic host immune responses, possible due to a lack of regulatory responses.

Anisakis is a parasitic nematode which infects fish and marine invertebrates, including crustaceans and molluscs. Ingestion of contaminated seafood can cause acute gastrointestinal diseases. Infection can be accompanied by severe allergic reactions such as urticaria, angioedema and anaphylaxis. Diagnosis of allergy due to Anisakis currently relies on the detection of serum IgE antibodies to allergenic proteins and a history of reactions upon exposure to fish. Anisakis proteins demonstrate considerable immunological cross-reactivity to proteins of related nematodes and other invertebrates such as crustaceans and house dust-mites. In contrast, very limited molecular associations with other parasite groups are observed, including trematodes and cestodes. This review outlines current knowledge on Anisakis as a food-borne parasite, with special focus on the underlying immunological mechanisms resulting in allergic host defence responses.

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