John Libbey Eurotext




Occupational generalised urticaria and allergic airborne asthma due to anisakis simplex
European Journal of Dermatology. Volume 11, Number 3, 249-50, May - June 2001, Cas cliniques
Free Article
Author(s) : E. Scala, M. Giani, L. Pirrotta, E.C. Guerra, S. Cadoni, C.R. Girardelli, O. De Pità, P. Puddu
Summary : Anisakis simplex (AS), a fish and cephalopodes parasite, may cause allergic reactions in humans on eating and/or handling contaminated fish. We present a case of occupational hypersensitivity to AS in a woman employed in a frozen-fish factory. She showed both generalised urticarial rash and asthmatic symptoms after work place exposure. All these symptoms immediately disappeared after work place exposure was ceased. The presence of a positive skin prick test and high specific IgE values confirmed a hypersensitivity to anisakis. This is the first case reported of both occupational generalised urticaria and allergic airborne asthma due to AS in the same patient. We suggest that AS could be an important cause of occupational asthma and/or urticaria in the fish industry.
Keywords : anisakis simplex, occupational hypersensitivity, airborne asthma

Occupational generalised urticaria and allergic airborne asthma due to anisakis simplex