infectious diseases
Anisakiasis
Introduction
Anisakiasis is infection with larvae of worms of theAnisakis simplexcomplex and the other anisakid species,Pseudoterranova decipienscomplex andContracecum osculatumcomplex. Infection is acquired by eating raw or poorly cooked saltwater fish or squid; larvae burrow into the mucosa of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, causing abdominal pain and sometimes vomiting. Endoscopy is used for diagnosis and treatment (ie, removal of larvae). (See also Approach to Parasitic Infections .) Anisakisis a parasite that resides in the GI tract of marine mammals. Excreted eggs hatch into free-swimming larvae, which are ingested by fish and squid; human infection is acquired by ingestion of these intermediate hosts in a raw or undercooked state. Thus, infection is particularly common in locations such as Japan, Korea, and other areas where raw fish is traditionally consumed. Larvae burrow into the stomach and small bowel of humans. Commercial sushi prepared in the United States and elsewhere where fish is frozen under conditions that kill anisakid larvae is safe. 