Zoonotic disease of Anisakiasis

Anisakiasis is an infection by the larval stages of ascaridoid roundworm Anisakis simplex from the family Anisakidae of the order Ascaridida.

Epidemiological studies conducted in Japan, have shown that cases of anisakiasis were likely to be encountered in coastal areas where individuals were involved in the fish industry.

Cases in Europe, the United States and elsewhere also appear to be on the rise, but are more likely the result of culinary habits associated with ethic groups or restaurants.

The adult Anisakis spp, inhabits the stomachs of sea mammals, such as small whales, dolphins, and seals, and passes eggs with feces into the oceans. Larvae hatch and are ingested by tiny crustaceans, which become infected and are in turn eaten by fish and squid.

The larval stage is found in a wide variety of fish, of which herring cod and the Alaskans Pollack are the most significant for human infection because they are most frequently eaten raw.

Humans are accidentally hosts in the life cycle of anisakid nematodes and although the parasites almost never develop further within human alimentary tract they may penetrate the tract and associated organs, with severe pathological consequences.

Ingestion of Anisakis larvae with seafood is often responsible for acute allergic manifestations such as urticaria and anaphylaxis, with or without accompanying gastrointestinal symtomatology.
Zoonotic disease of Anisakiasis