Abstract
BackgroundFood-borne nematodes of the genus Anisakis are responsible for a wide range of illnesses (= anisakiasis), from self-limiting gastrointestinal forms to severe systemic allergic reactions, which are often misdiagnosed and under-reported. In order to enhance and refine current diagnostic tools for anisakiasis, knowledge of the whole spectrum of parasite molecules transcribed and expressed by this parasite, including those acting as potential allergens, is necessary.Methodology/Principal FindingsIn this study, we employ high-throughput (Illumina) sequencing and bioinformatics to characterise the transcriptomes of two Anisakis species, A. simplex and A. pegreffii, and utilize this resource to compile lists of potential allergens from these parasites. A total of ~65,000,000 reads were generated from cDNA libraries for each species, and assembled into ~34,000 transcripts (= Unigenes); ~18,000 peptides were predicted from each cDNA library and classified based on homology searches, protein motifs and gene ontology and biological pathway mapping. Using comparative analyses with sequence data available in public databases, 36 (A. simplex) and 29 (A. pegreffii) putative allergens were identified, including sequences encoding ‘novel’ Anisakis allergenic proteins (i.e. cyclophilins and ABA-1 domain containing proteins).Conclusions/SignificanceThis study represents a first step towards providing the research community with a curated dataset to use as a molecular resource for future investigations of the biology of Anisakis, including molecules putatively acting as allergens, using functional genomics, proteomics and immunological tools. Ultimately, an improved knowledge of the biological functions of these molecules in the parasite, as well as of their immunogenic properties, will assist the development of comprehensive, reliable and robust diagnostic tools.
Highlights
Foodborne diseases include a range of illnesses transmitted via the ingestion of foodstuffs contaminated with a variety of chemical compounds and pathogenic microorganisms, including parasites [1,2,3]
Nematodes within the genus Anisakis (i.e. A. simplex and A. pegreffii, known as herring worms) are the causative agents of the fish-borne gastrointestinal illness known as ‘anisakiasis’, with infections resulting in symptoms ranging from mild gastric forms to severe allergic reactions leading to urticaria, gastrointestinal and/or respiratory signs and/ or anaphylaxis (‘allergic anisakiasis’)
Despite significant advances in knowledge of the pathobiology of allergic anisakiasis, far, the exact number and nature of parasite molecules acting as potential allergens are currently unknown; filling this gap is necessary to the development of robust and reliable diagnostics for allergic anisakiasis which, in turn, underpins the implementation of effective therapeutic strategies
Summary
Foodborne diseases include a range of illnesses transmitted via the ingestion of foodstuffs contaminated with a variety of chemical compounds and pathogenic microorganisms, including parasites [1,2,3]. Amongst the parasites responsible for foodborne diseases, nematodes within the genus Anisakis (i.e. A_simplex and A. pegreffii, known as herring worms) are the causative agents of the fish-borne gastrointestinal illness ‘anisakiasis’. Humans are accidental hosts for Anisakis, with the infection occurring via the ingestion of L3-containing raw or undercooked fish. Individuals infected by Anisakis spp. can become sensitised to parasite allergens, leading to the onset of allergic anisakiasis (the most significant form of disease), with symptoms ranging from urticaria, gastrointestinal and/or respiratory signs and/or anaphylaxis [5, 6]. Food-borne nematodes of the genus Anisakis are responsible for a wide range of illnesses (= anisakiasis), from self-limiting gastrointestinal forms to severe systemic allergic reactions, which are often misdiagnosed and under-reported. In order to enhance and refine current diagnostic tools for anisakiasis, knowledge of the whole spectrum of parasite molecules transcribed and expressed by this parasite, including those acting as potential allergens, is necessary
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