Progress in Anisakis Allergy Research: Milestones and Reversals

Abstract

Anisakis has gained cosmopolitan celebrity mainly through its potential to induce allergic disease. In the last two decades, several regions in the world, including the Mediterranean region, Japan, or Korea have reported high numbers of Anisakiasis-accompanied allergic symptoms: Gastro-allergic Anisakiasis. Recent wide-scale epidemiological studies highlight the global scenario of Anisakis for human health, and awareness is the main contributing factor. After two decades of research in the field of Anisakis allergy, in the last years, molecular studies of Anisakis allergens including omics research abound, fostered by available techniques and the putative necessity to a more precise diagnosis. Knowledge in the form of new massive data should be balanced against the creation of social and scientific alarm. In gastro-allergic Anisakiasis primary and secondary preventive measures against acute allergic episodes include adequate fish processing before consuming it raw or lightly cooked (deep freezing at − 20 °C for at least 24–48 h). Unfortunately, experts working in very different fields do not prioritize basic knowledge of immune biology of parasites and clinical allergy, risking an erroneous interpretation of allergic features, which could have important deleterious effects on the global implementation of a healthy fish-including diet.