6533b861fe1ef96bd12c4910

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Prevalence of Sensitization to Anisakis simplex Among Professionally Exposed Populations in Sicily

Walter MazzuccoGuido LaccaAmbra ProvenzaniMaria Fatima MassentiMaria Stefania Leto BaroneGabriele Di LorenzoFrancesco VitaleR CusimanoA CostaAm Di Noto

subject

Settore MED/09 - Medicina InternaSettore MED/44 - Medicina Del LavoroAnisakis simplex occupational risk public healthSettore MED/42 - Igiene Generale E Applicata

description

Anisakis simplex (AS) is a cause of allergic sensitization and potential occupational risk is suggested in fishermen and workers assigned to fish processing and sale. A cross-sectional study was conducted in order to assess possible health effects of occupational exposure to AS in workers recruited from western Sicily fisheries sector. Social, demographic, and occupation-related data were collected. Serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and specific IgE levels to AS (threshold >0.35 kU/L) were determined by an fluoroimmunoassay technique. Ninety-four subjects with potential occupational exposure (fishmongers, fishermen, fish industry employees) were recruited. Specific AS IgEs were detected in 20.2% of the study population. AS IgE seroprevalence was elevated 6.7-fold (p = .03) among fishermen/sailors compared with fish industry workers. The study suggested the importance to adopt specific prevention strategies against exposure to AS in the occupational setting.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2012-01-01
http://hdl.handle.net/10447/63944