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Anisakis simplex: a cause of intestinal pseudo-obstruction
J Domínguez Ortega1, M Cimarra, M Sevilla
1Servicio de Alergia, Hospital Clínico "San Carlos", Madrid, 28040, España. I
Revista Espanola De Enfermedades Digestivas
|May 9, 2000
Summary
Anisakis simplex larvae can cause gastrointestinal issues. Diagnostic tests like skin prick tests and IgE measurements can help identify anisakiasis in patients with intestinal obstruction, even if oral challenges with dead larvae show no symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Parasitology
- Immunology
Background:
- Anisakis simplex larvae ingestion can cause gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Reported anisakiasis cases in Spain are lower than expected given high fish consumption.
- Anisakiasis diagnosis may be underestimated due to lack of complementary studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential role of Anisakis simplex larvae in intestinal obstruction.
- To evaluate diagnostic methods for suspected anisakiasis in fish-eating patients.
Main Methods:
- Studied 6 patients with intestinal obstruction and frequent fish consumption.
- Performed skin prick tests with seafood, inhalant, and Anisakis extracts.
- Assessed total and specific IgE against Anisakis larvae using radioimmunoassay and immunoblot assays.
- Conducted oral challenge tests with frozen Anisakis larvae.
Main Results:
- All patients showed positive skin prick tests and high IgE levels against Anisakis.
- Immunoblot assays identified common low and intermediate molecular weight Anisakis antigens.
- Oral challenge tests with dead larvae did not induce clinical symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Clinical and laboratory findings suggest Anisakis simplex larvae as a cause of intestinal pseudo-obstruction in frequent fish eaters.
- Complementary diagnostic studies are recommended for suspected anisakiasis.
- Ingestion of dead Anisakis larvae does not cause clinical parasitization.