Natural products:Perspectives in the pharmacological treatment of gastrointestinal anisakiasis

Objective: To evaluate the activity of different natural products against L3 larvae of Anisakis type I. Methods: Information on investigations into the activity of natural products against the L3 larvae of Anisakis simplex was collected from scientific journals, books, theses and reports via a library and electronic search(using Pubmed, Scopus, Medline, Web of Science and Science Direct). The search terms included: natural products, medicinal plants, essential oils, terpenic derivatives, Anisakis, antinematodal activity. Results: In the literature reviewed numerous papers were found concerning the in vitro and in vivo activity against Anisakis type I of various natural products(plant extracts, essential oils and their major components). Analysis of the results showed that in vitro tests the Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil and the ar-turmerone isolated from Curcuma longa displayed the greatest activity. In vivo, the most active compound was perillaldehyde, the main component of Perilla frutescens essential oil. Conclusions: This study shows that some natural products exhibited promising antianisakis properties.

Intestinal anisakiasis treated successfully with conservative therapy:Importance of clinical diagnosis

Intestinal anisakiasis is not only a rare parasitic disease,but is also difficult to diagnose.The symptoms are not specific and are often very severe and abrupt,and the findings of clinical imaging are very remarkable.Therefore,intestinal anisakiasis is often misdiagnosed as acute abdomen or intestinal obstruction and is treated surgically.However,if intestinal anisakiasis could be diagnosed correctly,it is well treated conservatively.We experienced three cases of intestinal anisakiasis,which were diagnosed correctly and treated successfully with conservative therapy.A correct clinical history and imaging interpretation helped us diagnose intestinal anisakiasis correctly and thus treat the patients successfully with conservative therapy.

Gastric and enteric anisakiasis successfully treated with Gastrografin therapy: A case report

We report a case of a 59-year-old woman who was diagnosed with gastric and small intestinal anisakiasis, which was successfully treated with endoscopic extraction and Gastrografin therapy. She was admitted to our hospital with epigastric pain and vomiting one day after eating raw fish. She exhibited tenderness in the epigastrium without obvious rebound tenderness or guarding. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated segmental edema of the intestinal wall with proximal dilatation and a small number of ascites. Because enteric anisakiasis was suspected based on the patient's history of recent raw fish consumption and abdominal CT, we performed gastroscopy and confirmed that nine Anisakis larvae were attached to the gastric mucosa. All of the Anisakis larvae were extracted via endoscopy, and the patient was diagnosed with gastric and enteric anisakiasis. Additionally, in the hospital, we performed ileography twice using Gastrografin, which led to shortened hospital stay. Based on the clinical results of this case, we suggest that Gastrografin therapy is a safe, convenient, and useful method to extract enteric Anisakis larvae.

Asymptomatic Anisakiasis of the Colon Diagnosed and Treated by Colonoscopy

Anisakiasis can involve any part of the digestive tract, but most cases reported have involved the stomach;few reports have described colonic anisakiasis. Furthermore, asymptomatic colonic anisakiasis has been reported to be very rare. A 58-year-old Japanese male asymptomatically received colonoscopy due to a fecal occult blood testing positive, and an Anisakis larva was removed in the ascending colon. After colonoscopy, an detailed questionings concerning eating raw fish revealed that the patient ate the liver of raw filefish 21 days before the colonoscopy. Thus, questionings concerning eating the raw fish were very important and helpful for correct diagnosis. This case report demonstrated that colonic anisakiasis can be diagnosed by colonoscopy before severe complications (intestinal obstruction, perforation, and cancer development) occur. Also, biopsy forceps could be used to remove the Anisakis worms, demonstrating that diagnosis and treatment can be simultaneously performed.

Anisakiasis in Southeast Asia: A story of new tropical disease?

Anisakiasis is an important worm infestation. It is seen in some non-tropical countries and becomes an important issue in coastal medicine. However, in the few recent years, there are some reports on occurrence of anisakiasis in tropical countries. In this specific short article,the authors review and present the situation of anisakiasis in Southeast Asia. It can be said that anisakiasis becomes a new focused interest in tropical coastal medicine at present.

Parasites of Anisakidae Family--Geographical Distribution and Threat to Human Health

Nematodes of the Anisakidae family are important parasites that can cause anisakiasis--human parasitic infection of gastrointestinal tract. Allergic symptoms can arise as secondary immune response after infection by living parasite. In the life cycle of these parasites, intermediate, definitive and paratenic hosts （fish） might occur. In most cases, human anisakiasis is caused by consumption of fish which are infected with the larvae of the Anisakidae family. The purpose of the article was to assess the definitive host, the geographical spread of the parasites and the risk associated with consumption of raw fish and fishery products. Furthermore, this article describes symptoms and treatment of anisakiasis and kinds of preventive measures that can be taken to prevent anisakiasis.