Anisakis spp

The changes in eating habits over recent years, with an increased consumption of raw fish products (sushi, carpacci, etc.), have led to an increase in the onset of parasitosis in humans.

The most significant parasite in saltwater fish is Anisakis, a round (nematode) whitefish worm, belonging to the Anisakidae family, which is mainly found in blue fish. Anisakis can survive cold-smoking treatments, low-salt marinade treatments and refrigeration temperatures.

L’ sAnisakis, è in grado di sopravvivere a trattamenti di affumicatura a freddo, a trattamenti di marinatura con basso tenore di sale e alle temperature di refrigerazione. Viene ucciso con temperature superiori a 60 °C per 10 minuti e dal congelamento (almeno 24 ore a -20 °C).

La patologia causata dal genere sAnisakis nell’uomo è detta anisakidosi.

L’ sAnisakis è presente sia nel Mar Mediterraneo, sia negli oceani Atlantico, Pacifico e Indiano.

Laboratory research normally takes place through direct visual means. Biomolecular diagnosis with DNA analysis has superseded all of the limitations of current survey methods.*

* G Cammilleri: “Validation of a Commercial Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Assay for the Rapid Detection of Anisakis spp. DNA in Processed Fish Products”. Foods 2020, 9, 92 ** Patent licence nos. WO 00/28082, WO 01/34790, WO 01/77317, WO 02/24902, WO 01/34838 *** Industrial patent no. 0001425753 del 09.11.2016