Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.
2012 Dec;32(4):276-279.
A Case of Anaphylaxis Caused by Acute Gastric Anisakiasis
Abstract
- BACKGROUND
Acute gastric anisakiasis is referred as an incidental infestation of third-stage Anisakis spp. larvae in the gastrointestinal tract, while consuming contaminated raw seafood. It is diagnosed by direct visualization of the larvae on upper endoscopy and treated by extraction. It has been suggested that Anisakis spp. is one of the causative agents for food hypersensitivity, called gastroallergic anisakiasis. CASE HISTORY: We encountered a 47-year-old malepatient who visited our emergency department due to whole body hives, angioedema on the face, stomachache, nausea and shortness of breath that had occurred a few hours after raw seafood ingestion. At presentation, he was diagnosed with food hypersensitivity resulting anaphylaxis and treated by epinephrine, prednisolone and antihistamine. Most of his symptoms improved except for mild urticaria and epigastric pain. One week later, he underwent upper endoscopy for his epigastric pain, and two anisakislarvae were removed. Thereafter, he had no symptoms. Serum specific immunoglobulin E to anisakis antigen, but not to common seafood was detected.
RESULTS
A case of anaphylaxis caused by anisakis infestation was confirmed.
CONCLUSION
Anaphylaxis can be caused by Anisakis spp. infestated in gastrointestinal tract. Gastroallergic anisakiasis should be suspected in case of anaphylaxis after raw seafood ingestion.
