Skip to main content
PMC home page
Clinical Microbiology Reviews logoLink to Clinical Microbiology Reviews
. 1989 Jul;2(3):278–284. doi: 10.1128/cmr.2.3.278

Anisakiasis.

J A Sakanari 1, J H McKerrow 1
PMCID: PMC358121  PMID: 2670191

Abstract

Anisakiasis is a zoonotic disease caused by the ingestion of larval nematodes in raw seafood dishes such as sushi, sashimi, ceviche, and pickled herring. Symptoms of anisakiasis include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Because symptoms are vague, this disease is often misdiagnosed as appendicitis, acute abdomen, stomach ulcers, or ileitis. Endoscopic examination with biopsy forceps has facilitated the diagnosis of gastric anisakiasis. Worms can be removed and identified, and a definitive diagnosis can be made. Patients generally recover with no further evidence of disease. Worms can become invasive, however, and migrate beyond the stomach, penetrating the intestine, omentum, liver, pancreas, and probably the lungs. Surgery is often necessary for treatment of invasive anisakiasis. With the increase in popularity of eating lightly cooked or raw fish dishes, the number of cases of anisakiasis may be expected to increase.

Full text

PDF
281

Images in this article

280Image
on p.280
281Image
on p.281

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Akasaka Y., Kizu M., Aoike A., Kawai K. Endoscopic management of acute gastric anisakiasis. Endoscopy. 1979 May;11(2):158–162. doi: 10.1055/s-0028-1098343. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Appleby D., Kapoor W., Karpf M., Williams S. Anisakiasis: nematode infestation producing small-bowel obstruction. Arch Surg. 1982 Jun;117(6):836–836. doi: 10.1001/archsurg.1982.01380300076016. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Asaishi K., Nishino C., Totsuka M., Hayasaka H., Suzuki T. Studies on the etiologic mechanism of anisakiasis. --2. Epidemiologic study of inhabitants and questionaire survey in Japan. Gastroenterol Jpn. 1980 Apr;15(2):128–134. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Askenase P. W. Effector and regulatory functions of cells in the immune response to parasites. Summary. Fed Proc. 1983 Apr;42(6):1740–1743. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Chitwood M., Lichtenfels J. R. Identification of parasitic metazoa in tissue sections. Exp Parasitol. 1972 Dec;32(3):407–519. doi: 10.1016/0014-4894(72)90069-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Chitwood M. Nematodes of medical significance found in market fish. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1970 Jul;19(4):599–602. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1970.19.599. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Cocheton J. J., Gombeaud T., Ferroir J. P. Anisakiase duodénale aigue. Extraction endoscopique. Presse Med. 1984 Mar 24;13(12):744–744. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Deardorff T. L., Fukumura T., Raybourne R. B. Invasive anisakiasis. A case report from Hawaii. Gastroenterology. 1986 Apr;90(4):1047–1050. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Deardorff T. L., Kliks M. M., Desowitz R. S. Histopathology induced by larval Terranova (Type HA) (Nematoda: anisakinae) in experimentally infected rats. J Parasitol. 1983 Feb;69(1):191–195. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Deardorff T. L., Overstreet R. M. Contracaecum multipapillatum (=C. robustum) from fishes and birds in the northern Gulf of Mexico. J Parasitol. 1980 Oct;66(5):853–856. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Deardorff T. L., Raybourne R. B., Desowitz R. S. Description of a third-stage larva, Terranova type Hawaii A (Nematoda: Anisakinae), from Hawaiian fishes. J Parasitol. 1984 Oct;70(5):829–831. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Deardorff T. L., Throm R. Commercial blast-freezing of third-stage Anisakis simplex larvae encapsulated in salmon and rockfish. J Parasitol. 1988 Aug;74(4):600–603. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Desowitz R. S. Human and experimental anisakiasis in the United States. Hokkaido Igaku Zasshi. 1986 May;61(3):358–371. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Desowitz R. S., Raybourne R. B., Ishikura H., Kliks M. M. The radioallergosorbent test (RAST) for the serological diagnosis of human anisakiasis. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1985;79(2):256–259. doi: 10.1016/0035-9203(85)90351-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Fontaine R. E. Anisakiasis from the American perspective. JAMA. 1985 Feb 15;253(7):1024–1025. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Fredericksen D. W., Specian R. D. The value of cuticular fine structure in identification of juvenile anisakine nematodes. J Parasitol. 1981 Oct;67(5):647–655. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Hauck A. K. Occurrence and survival of the larval nematode Anisakis sp. in the flesh of fresh, frozen, brined, and smoked pacific herring, Clupea harengus pallasi. J Parasitol. 1977 Jun;63(3):515–519. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Hayasaka H., Ishikura H., Takayama T. Acute regional ileitis due to anisakis larvae. Int Surg. 1971 Jan;55(1):8–14. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Higashi M., Tanaka K., Kitada T., Nakatake K., Tsuji M. Anisakiasis confirmed by radiography of the large intestine. Gastrointest Radiol. 1988;13(1):85–86. doi: 10.1007/BF01889030. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Hoang C., Garin Y., Ichou J., Le Charpentier Y. Anisakiase jéjunale et occlusion intestinale. Gastroenterol Clin Biol. 1985 Nov;9(11):847–848. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Hsiu J. G., Gamsey A. J., Ives C. E., D'Amato N. A., Hiller A. N. Gastric anisakiasis: report of a case with clinical, endoscopic, and histological findings. Am J Gastroenterol. 1986 Dec;81(12):1185–1187. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Ishikura H., Hayasaka H., Kikuchi Y. Acute regional ileitis at Iwanai in Hokkaido--with special reference to intestinal Anisakiasis. Sapporo Igaku Zasshi. 1967 Oct-Nov;32(4):183–196. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Ishikura H., Kobayashi Y., Miyamoto K., Yagi K., Nakajima O., Fujita O., Oikawa Y., Maejima J., Aji T., Akao Y. [Transition of occurrence of anisakiasis and its paratenic host fishes in Japan, with pathogenesis of anisakiasis]. Hokkaido Igaku Zasshi. 1988 May;63(3):376–391. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Jlidi R., Chatelanat F. Anisakiase du grêle et revue de la littérature. Rev Med Suisse Romande. 1987 Nov;107(11):973–976. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Kliks M. M. Anisakiasis in the western United States: four new case reports from California. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1983 May;32(3):526–532. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1983.32.526. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Kliks M. M. Human anisakiasis: an update. JAMA. 1986 May 16;255(19):2605–2605. doi: 10.1001/jama.1986.03370190089026. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Kobayashi A., Tsuji M., Wilbur D. L. Probable pulmonary anisakiasis accompanying pleural effusion. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1985 Mar;34(2):310–313. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1985.34.310. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Kwee H. G., Sautter R. L. Anisakiasis. Am Fam Physician. 1987 Aug;36(2):137–140. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Lane C. D., Master R. N., Tietbohl R. H. If your uneaten food moves, take it to a doctor. JAMA. 1988 Jul 15;260(3):340–341. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Lewis R., Shore J. H. Anisakiasis in the United Kingdom. Lancet. 1985 Nov 2;2(8462):1019–1019. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(85)90574-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Little M. D., MacPhail J. C. Large nematode larva from the abdominal cavity of a man in Massachusetts. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1972 Nov;21(6):948–950. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1972.21.948. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Lorenz G. Zur Morphologie der Anisakiasis. Zentralbl Allg Pathol. 1982;126(5-6):477–482. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. McKerrow J. H., Sakanari J., Deardorff T. L. Anisakiasis: revenge of the sushi parasite. N Engl J Med. 1988 Nov 3;319(18):1228–1229. doi: 10.1056/nejm198811033191819. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Mudry J., Lefebvre P., Dei-Cas E., Vernes A., Poirriez J., Débat M., Marti R., Binot P., Cortot A. Anisakiase humaine: 5 cas dans le nord de la France. Gastroenterol Clin Biol. 1986 Jan;10(1):83–87. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Myers B. J. Nematodes transmitted to man by fish and aquatic mammals. J Wildl Dis. 1970 Oct;6(4):266–271. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-6.4.266. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Myers B. J. Research then and now on the Anisakidae nematodes. Trans Am Microsc Soc. 1976 Apr;95(2):137–142. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. Olson A. C., Jr, Lewis M. D., Hauser M. L. Proper identification of anisakine worms. Am J Med Technol. 1983 Feb;49(2):111–114. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. Oshima T. Anisakiasis - is the sushi bar guilty? Parasitol Today. 1987 Feb;3(2):44–48. doi: 10.1016/0169-4758(87)90212-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. Oshima T., Kliks M. Effects of marine mammal parasites on human health. Int J Parasitol. 1987 Feb;17(2):415–421. doi: 10.1016/0020-7519(87)90117-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. Overstreet R. M., Meyer G. W. Hemorrhagic lesions in stomach of rhesus monkey caused by a piscine ascaridoid nematode. J Parasitol. 1981 Apr;67(2):226–235. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. Paltridge G. P., Faoagali J. L., Angus H. B. Intestinal anisakiasis: a new New Zealand disease. N Z Med J. 1984 Aug 22;97(762):558–559. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  42. Pinkus G. S., Coolidge C., Little M. D. Intestinal anisakiasis. First case report from North America. Am J Med. 1975 Jul;59(1):114–120. doi: 10.1016/0002-9343(75)90328-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  43. Raybourne R., Deardorff T. L., Bier J. W. Anisakis simplex: larval excretory secretory protein production and cytostatic action in mammalian cell cultures. Exp Parasitol. 1986 Aug;62(1):92–97. doi: 10.1016/0014-4894(86)90012-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  44. Richman R. H., Lewicki A. M. Right ileocolitis secondary to anisakiasis. Am J Roentgenol Radium Ther Nucl Med. 1973 Oct;119(2):329–331. doi: 10.2214/ajr.119.2.329. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  45. Rosset J. S., McClatchey K. D., Higashi G. I., Knisely A. S. Anisakis larval type I in fresh salmon. Am J Clin Pathol. 1982 Jul;78(1):54–57. doi: 10.1093/ajcp/78.1.54. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  46. Rushovich A. M., Randall E. L., Caprini J. A., Westenfelder G. O. Omental anisakiasis: a rare mimic of acute appendicitis. Am J Clin Pathol. 1983 Oct;80(4):517–520. doi: 10.1093/ajcp/80.4.517. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  47. Sakanari J. A., Loinaz H. M., Deardorff T. L., Raybourne R. B., McKerrow J. H., Frierson J. G. Intestinal anisakiasis. A case diagnosed by morphologic and immunologic methods. Am J Clin Pathol. 1988 Jul;90(1):107–113. doi: 10.1093/ajcp/90.1.107. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  48. Sapunar J., Doerr E., Letonja T. Anisakiasis humana en Chile. Bol Chil Parasitol. 1976 Jul-Dec;31(3-4):79–83. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  49. Smith J. W., Wootten R. Anisakis and anisakiasis. Adv Parasitol. 1978;16:93–163. doi: 10.1016/s0065-308x(08)60573-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  50. Sugimachi K., Inokuchi K., Ooiwa T., Fujino T., Ishii Y. Acute gastric anisakiasis. Analysis of 178 cases. JAMA. 1985 Feb 15;253(7):1012–1013. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  51. Suzuki T., Sato Y., Yamashita T., Sekikawa H., Otsuru M. Anisakiasis: preparation of a stable antigen for indirect fluorescent antibody test. Exp Parasitol. 1974 Jun;35(3):418–424. doi: 10.1016/0014-4894(74)90048-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  52. Takahashi S., Sato N., Ishikura H. Establishment of monoclonal antibodies that discriminate the antigen distribution specifically found in Anisakis larvae (type I). J Parasitol. 1986 Dec;72(6):960–962. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  53. Tanaka J., Torisu M. Anisakis and eosinophil. I. Detection of a soluble factor selectively chemotactic for eosinophils in the extract from Anisakis larvae. J Immunol. 1978 Mar;120(3):745–749. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  54. Torres P., Hernandez E., Sandoval I. Anisakiasis and phocanemiasis in marine fishes from the south of Chile. Int J Zoonoses. 1983 Dec;10(2):146–150. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  55. Valdiserri R. O. Intestinal anisakiasis. Report of a case and recovery of larvae from market fish. Am J Clin Pathol. 1981 Sep;76(3):329–333. doi: 10.1093/ajcp/76.3.329. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  56. Van Thiel P. H. The present state of anisakiasis and its causative worms. Trop Geogr Med. 1976 Jun;28(2):75–85. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  57. Verhamme M. A., Ramboer C. H. Anisakiasis caused by herring in vinegar: a little known medical problem. Gut. 1988 Jun;29(6):843–847. doi: 10.1136/gut.29.6.843. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  58. Wakelin D. Immunity to intestinal parasites. Nature. 1978 Jun 22;273(5664):617–620. doi: 10.1038/273617a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  59. Watt I. A., McLean N. R., Girdwood R. W., Kissen L. H., Fyfe A. H. Eosinophilic gastroenteritis associated with a larval anisakine nematode. Lancet. 1979 Oct 27;2(8148):893–894. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(79)92699-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  60. Yokogawa M., Yoshimura H. Anisakis-like larvae causing eosinophilic granulomata in the stomach of man. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1965 Sep;14(5):770–773. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1965.14.770. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  61. Yokogawa M., Yoshimura H. Clinicopathologic studies on larval anisakiasis in Japan. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1967 Nov;16(6):723–728. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  62. van Thiel P. H., van Houten H. The localization of the herringworm Anisakis marina in- and outside the human gastro-intestinal wall. Trop Geogr Med. 1967 Mar;19(1):56–62. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Clinical Microbiology Reviews are provided here courtesy of American Society for Microbiology (ASM)

RESOURCES