Mass Spectrometry Based-Proteomic Analysis of Anisakis spp.: A Preliminary Study towards a New Diagnostic Tool.

Valeria Marzano,Stefano Levi Mortera,Lorenza Putignani,Gianluca Foglietta,Andrea Onetti Muda,Pamela Vernocchi,Stefania Pane

doi:10.3390/genes11060693

Valeria Marzano, Stefano Levi Mortera + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/genes11060693

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Abstract

Anisakiasis is nowadays a well-known infection, mainly caused by the accidental ingestion of Anisakis larvae, following the consumption of raw or undercooked fishes and cephalopods. Due to the similarity of symptoms with those of common gastrointestinal disorders, this infection is often underestimated, and the need for new specific diagnostic tools is becoming crucial. Given the remarkable impact that MALDI–TOF MS biotyping had in the last decade in clinical routine practice for the recognition of bacterial and fungi strains, a similar scenario could be foreseen for the identification of parasites, such as nematodes. In this work, a MALDI–TOF MS profiling of Anisakis proteome was pursued with a view to constructing a first spectral library for the diagnosis of Anisakis infections. At the same time, a shotgun proteomics approach by LC–ESI–MS/MS was performed on the two main fractions obtained from protein extraction, to evaluate the protein species enriched by the protocol. A set of MALDI–TOF MS signals associated with proteins originating in the ribosomal fraction of the nematode extract was selected as a potential diagnostic tool for the identification of Anisakis spp.

Highlights

IntroductionGlobalization has markedly increased the change in eating habits, including the widespread consumption of raw, marinated, or smoked fish
Among food biological hazards, parasites are dangerous for human health.Globalization has markedly increased the change in eating habits, including the widespread consumption of raw, marinated, or smoked fish
A quota of food allergies of unknown origin among the general population may be due to sensitization to Anisakis spp., representing a public health issue, whose clinical manifestations are characterized by digestive disorders, asthma, dermatitis, and even anaphylaxis

Summary

Introduction

Globalization has markedly increased the change in eating habits, including the widespread consumption of raw, marinated, or smoked fish. A quota of food allergies of unknown origin among the general population may be due to sensitization to Anisakis spp. (roundworms), representing a public health issue, whose clinical manifestations are characterized by digestive disorders, asthma, dermatitis, and even anaphylaxis. Nematodes of the Anisakidae family are fish parasites that can be found all over the world. The larvae live in the gut, visceral peritoneum, and flesh of many marine fish and cephalopod species and can colonize through different trophic bridges, ensuring and widening the parasite life cycle.

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