Enliven: Clinical Dermatology

In 2013, Japanese traditional cuisine (Washoku) is an UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity designation. One character of Japanese foods is using raw fish in cooking. With washoku becoming more popular around the world, the number of people consuming raw fish is increasing. Anisakis simplex (AS) parasite in sea creature and AS allergy is one potential causing urticaria, angioedema and itching. A traditional Japanese proverb says, “Eating blue or shiny fish sometimes may cause itching”. This meaning may be related with Anisakis simplex (AS) allergy. The custom of consuming raw fish is common in Japan and Spain, since some gastric anisakiasis and other anisakis-related diseases were reported in these countries. Since the 1980s, many cases of allergic reactions by anisakis and the results of specific IgE to anisakis have been reported.

In 2013, Japanese traditional cuisine (Washoku) is an UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity designation. One character of Japanese foods is using raw fish in cooking. With washoku becoming more popular around the world, the number of people consuming raw fish is increasing.ã?? Anisakis simplex (AS) parasite in sea creature and AS allergy is one potential causing urticaria, angioedema and itching. A traditional Japanese proverb says, â??Eating blue or shiny fish sometimes may cause itchingâ?. This meaning may be related with Anisakis simplex (AS) allergy. The custom of consuming raw fish is common in Japan and Spain, since some gastric anisakiasis and other anisakis-related diseases were reported [1-5] in these countries. Since the 1980s, many cases of allergic reactions by anisakis and the results of specific IgE to anisakis have been reported [6-9].

Analyzing our data of the dermatoses and specific IgE score to AS were AD and urticaria were 17.3% and 12.4%. From the dermatoses with itching, urticaria or atopic dermatitis, it was interesting that there were a larger number of AD patients than urticaria patients with a positive score to AS [10]. AS allergy should be considered as developing disease in some cases of AD. Determining IgE score to AS is useful for treatment of AD than urticaria, especially in older male patients with these diseases. One reason for the highest ratio of positive IgE score to AS in AD patients may have been cross-reactivity to other allergens, dust mites [11,12] and chironomids [13]. Recently, 13 AS allergens have been established, Anisakis 3, a notable allergen, is a tropomyosin and could be related to cross-reactivity. The tropomyosins of invertebrate animals in particular are recognized as important and major allergens [14]. Because tropomyosins are similar to the molecules in dust-mites [15] and believed to possess cross-reactivity with anisakis and mites [11,16] some AD patients have cross-reactivity between AS and mites.

In the case of treatment for AD patients, determination of specific IgE against AS is helpful. Anisakis simplex is an important allergen, and may be a hidden allergen in allergic food reactions.

References

1. Kasuya S, Hamano H, Izumi S (1990) Mackerel-induced urticaria and anisakis. Lancet 335: 665.


2. Oshima T, Kliks MM (1987) Effects of marine mammal parasites on human health. Int J Parasitol 17: 415-421.


3. Armentia A, Martin-Gil FJ, Pascual C, Martín-Esteban M, Callejo A, et al. (2006) Anisakis simplex allergy after eating chiken meat. J Investig Allergol Immunol 16: 258-263.


4. Pecquet C, Danis M, Leynadier F (2002) Anisakis simplex and Immediate hypersensitivity reactions. Ann Dermatol Venereol 129: 303-305.


5. Nieuwenhuizen N, Lopata Al, Jeebhay MF, Herbert DR, Robins TG, et al. (2006) Exposure to the fish parasite Anisakis causes allergic airway hypersensitivity and dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol 117: 1098-1105.


6. Alonso A, Daschner A, Moreno-Ancillo A (1997) Anaphylaxis with anisakis simplex in the gastric mucosa. N Engl J Med 337: 351-352.


7. Audicana MT, Fernández de Corres L, Muñoz D, Fernández E, Navarro JA, et al. (1995) Recurrent anaphylaxis caused by anisakis simplex parasitizing fish. J Allergy Clin Immunol 96: 558-560.


8. Sugimachi K, Inokuchi K, Ooiwa T, Fujino T, Ishii Y (1985) Acute gastric anisakiasis. Analysis of 178 cases. JAMA 253: 1012-1213.


9. Moreno-Ancillo A, Caballero MT, Cabañas R, Contreras J, Martin-Barroso JA, et al (1997) Allergic reactions to anisakis simplex parasitizing seafood.  Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 79: 246-250.


10. Sugiura K, Sugiura M (2014) Urticaria and Atopic Dermatitis Related to Anisakis Simplex. Int J Clin Dermatol Res 3: 1-5.


11. Johansson E, Aponno M, Lundberg M, van Hage-Hamsten M (2001) Allergenic cross-reactivity between the nematode anisakis simplex and the dust mites acarus siro, lepidoglyphus destructor, tyrophagus putrescentiae and dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Allergy 56: 660-666.


12. Bernardini R, Mistrello G, Novembre E, Roncarolo D, Zanotta S, et al. (2005) Cross-reactivity between IgE-binding proteins from anisakis simplex and Dermatophagoides pteronyssnus. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 18: 671-675.


13. Pascul CY, Crespo JF, San Martin SS, Ornia N, Ortega N, et al. (1997) Cross-reactivity between IgE-binding proteins from anisakis, German cockroach, and chironomids. Allergy 52: 514-520.


14. Reese G, Ayuso R, Lehrer SB (1999) Tropomyosin: An Invertebrate Pan-Allergen. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 119: 247-258.


15. Fitzsimmons CM, Falcone FH, Dunne DW (2014) Helminth Allergens, Parasite-Specific IgE, and Its Protective role in human immunity. Fron Immunol 5: 61.


16. Ayuso R, Reese G, Leong-Kee S, Plante M, Lehrer SB (2002) Molecular basis of arthropod cross-reactivity: IgE-binding cross-reactive epitopes of shrimp, house dust mite and cockroach tropomyosins. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 129: 38-48.

Curriculum Vitae

Dr Keiji Sugiura Contact Information Department of Environmental Dermatology and Allergology, Daiichi Clinic, Nittochi Nagoya Build 2F, 1-1 Sakae, Nakaku, 460-0008 Nagoya, Japan ; E-mail: ksugiura@daiichiclinic.jp

Personal Data (Biography)

Dr Keiji Sugiura is a director of department of Environmental Dermatology and Allergology,Daiichi Clinic in Japan. His main research area is Langerhans cell in cutaneous disease. Specialty is skin surgery and cutaneous allergy. Now he is an editorand reviewer of some international medical journal. His currently interesting is allergy peculiar to Japanese foods (ex. soy sauce, raw fish) and occupational allergy.

Scientific Titles and Degrees

Receiving or nomination date:

MD & PhD (2001-10-03)

Title:

"An Experimental Study on Atopic Dermatitis, Using a Model Mouse"

Specialties

Dermatology, Skin surgery, Allergology

Scientific Prizes

The Japanese Society of Contact Dermatitis

Date of Recognition

2000-12-02, National

Activity

Scientific Achievement