Urticaria and Atopic Dermatitis Related to Anisakis Simplex

Background: Anisakis simplex (AS) is a parasite in seafood and this nematode is a known risk factor for gastro anisakiasis and dermatoses with itching, like urticaria and angioedema. Recently, Japanese cuisine received a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity designation. The number of people consuming raw fish is increasing around the world, and so too are diseases and dermatoses related to AS. We speculated that some cases of urticaria are due to AS allergy rather than being simple atopic dermatitis (AD) cases. In this study, we investigated the sensitization profile of specific IgE against AS in urticaria and AD. Object and methods: We investigated gender, age, score of specific IgE to AS, WBC and eosinophils in patients with urticaria, atopic dermatitis, or both diseases. Results: Our research produced the following interesting results: (1) more male than female patients had a positive score to AS; (2) the number of patients in their 50s and 60s with positive AS score was significantly higher than that for other ages; (3) there were a larger number of AD patients than urticaria patients with a positive score to AS. Conclusion: AS should be considered in some cases of AD. Determining IgE score to AS is useful for treatment of AD and urticaria, especially in older male patients with these diseases.