This study was performed to observe histopathological changes and serological reactions in chronic anisakiasis of rabbits. Each rabbit was infected per os with 30 larvae of Anisakis type I. Their sera were collected chronologically and the rabbits were killed for histopathological examination, 3, 13, 20, 30, 60, 90 and 150 days after the infection. The results were summarized as below. Most of the larvae were recovered from the stomach, but a few from the omentum, intestine, mesentery and abdominal wall. The recovery rates and distribution of worms by organ were not differed by duration of infection. Histologically the lesion was abscess type on 13 days, i.e., the dead worms were surrounded by fibrinous exudate, histiocytes and thick zone of numerous inflammatory cells. After 30 days, histiocytes were found to invade the worms and the lesion was changing into abscess-granulomatous type. Also a calcified worm was found on the 30th day. After then the worms were observed to be dissolved slowly until 90 days. On 150 day, only one calcified worm was observed. The levels of serum IgG antibody by ELISA reached their maximum 30 days after the infection. After then, it decreased slowly until 150 days after the infection. Above serological and histopathological findings indicated that antigenic stimulation from degenerating Anisakis larvae was the greatest during the first 30 days after infection. This period was corresponding with the beginning of worm resolution or calcification. Serologic test by ELISA would be a valuable tool for confirming chronic anisakiasis.
parasitolgy-helminth-nematoda ; Anisakis ; anisakiasis ; rabbit ; histology ; pathology ; immunology ; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

The third-stage larvae (L3) of the parasitic nematode, Anisakis simplex, have been implicated in the induction of hyperimmune allergic reactions in orally infected humans. In this work, we have conducted a review of an investigation into immune reactions occurring in animals experimentally infected with A. simplex L3. The patterns of serum antibody productions in the experimental animals against excretory-secretory products (ESP) of A. simplex L3 contributed to our current knowledge regarding specific humoral immune reactions in humans. In our review, we were able to determine that L3 infection of experimental animals may constitute a good model system for further exploration of immune mechanisms and allergy in anisakiasis of humans.
Rats ; Mice ; Larva/immunology ; Immunoglobulin E/blood ; Hypersensitivity/*etiology/immunology ; Humans ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Disease Models, Animal ; Antigens, Helminth/immunology ; Anisakis/growth & development/*immunology ; Anisakiasis/immunology ; Animals

We have reported that a 24 kDa protein (22U homologous; As22U) of Anisakis simplex larvae could elicit several Th2-related chemokine gene expressions in the intestinal epithelial cell line which means that As22U may play a role as an allergen. In order to determine the contribution of As22U to allergic reactions, we treated mice with 6 times intra-nasal application of recombinant As22U (rAs22U). In the group challenged with rAs22U and ovalbumin (OVA), the number of eosinophils in the bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was significantly increased, as compared to the group receiving only OVA. In addition, mice treated with rAs22U and OVA showed significantly increased airway hyperresponsiveness. Thus, severe inflammation around the airway and immune cell recruitment was observed in mice treated with rAs22U plus OVA. The levels of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 cytokines in the BALF increased significantly after treatment with rAs22U and OVA. Similarly, the levels of anti-OVA specific IgE and IgG1 increased in mice treated with rAs22U and OVA, compared to those treated only with OVA. The Gro-alpha (CXCL1) gene expression in mouse lung epithelial cells increased instantly after treatment with rAs22U, and allergy-specific chemokines eotaxin (CCL11) and thymus-and-activation-regulated-chemokine (CCL17) gene expressions significantly increased at 6 hr after treatment. In conclusion, rAs22U may induce airway allergic inflammation, as the result of enhanced Th2 and Th17 responses.
Administration, Intranasal ; Animals ; Anisakiasis/*immunology/parasitology ; Anisakis/*immunology/metabolism ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Chemokines/metabolism ; Cytokines/analysis/*metabolism ; Eosinophils/metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation/*immunology ; Helminth Proteins/*immunology ; Hypersensitivity/*immunology/parasitology ; Immunoglobulin E/immunology ; Immunoglobulin G/immunology ; Larva/immunology/metabolism ; Lung/metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Recombinant Proteins/immunology ; Th17 Cells/metabolism ; Th2 Cells/metabolism

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.
Abdominal Pain/immunology ; Adult ; Aged ; Anaphylaxis/immunology ; Angioedema/immunology ; Animals ; Anisakiasis/complications/ethnology/*immunology ; Anisakis/*immunology ; Antibodies, Helminth/*blood ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Female ; Food Hypersensitivity/complications/ethnology/*immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E/*blood ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Seafood/*adverse effects/parasitology ; Urticaria/immunology ; Young Adult

The present study was performed to estimate the seroprevalence of larval Anisakis simplex infection among the residents health-examined in 3 hospitals in southern parts of Korea. A total of 498 serum samples (1 serum per person) were collected in 3 hospitals in Busan Metropolitan city, Masan city, and Geoje city in Gyeongsangnam-do (Province) and were examined by IgE-ELISA and IgE-western blotting with larval A. simplex crude extract and excretory-secretory products (ESP). The prevalence of antibody positivity was 5.0% and 6.6% with ELISA against crude extracts and ESP, respectively. It was also revealed that infection occurred throughout all age groups and higher in females than in males. A specific protein band of 130 kDa was detected from 10 patients with western blot analysis against crude extract and ESP among those who showed positive results by ELISA. Our study showed for the first time the seroprevalence of anisakiasis in Korea. The allergen of 130 kDa can be a candidate for serologic diagnosis of anisakiasis.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Animals ; Anisakiasis/*epidemiology ; Anisakis/*immunology ; Antibodies, Helminth/*blood ; Antigens, Helminth/chemistry/diagnostic use ; Blotting, Western ; Child ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Hospitals ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E/blood ; Korea/epidemiology ; Larva/immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Weight ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Sex Distribution ; Young Adult