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The Korean Journal of Parasitology Jun 2021The use of albendazole and mebendazole, i.e., benzimidazole broad-spectrum anthelmintics, in treatment of parasitic infections, as well as cancers, is briefly reviewed.... (Review)
Review
The use of albendazole and mebendazole, i.e., benzimidazole broad-spectrum anthelmintics, in treatment of parasitic infections, as well as cancers, is briefly reviewed. These drugs are known to block the microtubule systems of parasites and mammalian cells leading to inhibition of glucose uptake and transport and finally cell death. Eventually they exhibit ovicidal, larvicidal, and vermicidal effects on parasites, and tumoricidal effects on hosts. Albendazole and mebendazole are most frequently prescribed for treatment of intestinal nematode infections (ascariasis, hookworm infections, trichuriasis, strongyloidiasis, and enterobiasis) and can also be used for intestinal tapeworm infections (taeniases and hymenolepiasis). However, these drugs also exhibit considerable therapeutic effects against tissue nematode/cestode infections (visceral, ocular, neural, and cutaneous larva migrans, anisakiasis, trichinosis, hepatic and intestinal capillariasis, angiostrongyliasis, gnathostomiasis, gongylonemiasis, thelaziasis, dracunculiasis, cerebral and subcutaneous cysticercosis, and echinococcosis). Albendazole is also used for treatment of filarial infections (lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, loiasis, mansonellosis, and dirofilariasis) alone or in combination with other drugs, such as ivermectin or diethylcarbamazine. Albendazole was tried even for treatment of trematode (fascioliasis, clonorchiasis, opisthorchiasis, and intestinal fluke infections) and protozoan infections (giardiasis, vaginal trichomoniasis, cryptosporidiosis, and microsporidiosis). These drugs are generally safe with few side effects; however, when they are used for prolonged time (>14-28 days) or even only 1 time, liver toxicity and other side reactions may occur. In hookworms, Trichuris trichiura, possibly Ascaris lumbricoides, Wuchereria bancrofti, and Giardia sp., there are emerging issues of drug resistance. It is of particular note that albendazole and mebendazole have been repositioned as promising anti-cancer drugs. These drugs have been shown to be active in vitro and in vivo (animals) against liver, lung, ovary, prostate, colorectal, breast, head and neck cancers, and melanoma. Two clinical reports for albendazole and 2 case reports for mebendazole have revealed promising effects of these drugs in human patients having variable types of cancers. However, because of the toxicity of albendazole, for example, neutropenia due to myelosuppression, if high doses are used for a prolonged time, mebendazole is currently more popularly used than albendazole in anti-cancer clinical trials.
Topics: Albendazole; Animals; Anthelmintics; Antineoplastic Agents; Ascariasis; Female; Humans; Male; Mebendazole; Parasites; Trichuriasis
PubMed: 34218593
DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2021.59.3.189 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2024Parasitism as a lifestyle is much more common in nature than it seems [...].
Parasitism as a lifestyle is much more common in nature than it seems [...].
PubMed: 38392886
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13020148 -
Acta Medica Portuguesa Jul 2022Ingestion of Anisakis is a common cause of allergic reactions to seafood in countries in which undercooked/raw seafood is part of gastronomic traditions. Despite current... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Ingestion of Anisakis is a common cause of allergic reactions to seafood in countries in which undercooked/raw seafood is part of gastronomic traditions. Despite current trends for the ingestion of raw/marinated/undercooked fish, the prevalence rate of anisakiasis and allergy to Anisakis is still considered to be low in Portugal. We aimed to review the current pathogenic mechanisms, the clinical and diagnostic approach of Anisakis allergy, and Anisakis-related eviction measures, while raising awareness to this problem.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Literature search in the MEDLINE and Scopus databases, regarding Anisakis allergy.
CONCLUSION
Assessment of sensitization to Anisakis should be included in the workup study of urticaria/angioedema and anaphylaxis, as there is a rise in consumption of raw and undercooked fish. Ingestion of previously frozen and properly cooked fish appears to be safe for most patients who are allergic to Anisakis.
Topics: Animals; Anisakis; Seafood; Anisakiasis; Anaphylaxis; Angioedema; Fishes
PubMed: 35377838
DOI: 10.20344/amp.15908 -
Radiologia 2022To review the main findings for anisakiasis in the different imaging tests that can be used to diagnose it, based on studies done at our center.
OBJECTIVE
To review the main findings for anisakiasis in the different imaging tests that can be used to diagnose it, based on studies done at our center.
CONCLUSION
The presence of Anisakis species in food consumed in Western countries is becoming more common. Patients with anisakiasis present with acute abdomen; there are no specific clinical signs or laboratory findings. Careful history taking is key to discovering exposure to Anisakis-contaminated food, but this task is hindered by unfamiliarity with the condition and lack of suspicion and is also confounded by the variable latency period after ingestion of Anisakis-contaminated food. Give the nonspecific presentation, patients with anisakiasis often undergo imaging tests to rule out other processes. Thus, radiologists need to be familiar with the spectrum of imaging findings that should lead to the inclusion of anisakiasis in the differential diagnosis, so they can guide clinicians toward directed history taking and specific tests.
Topics: Abdomen, Acute; Animals; Anisakiasis; Anisakis; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans
PubMed: 35676056
DOI: 10.1016/j.rxeng.2022.05.001 -
Ugeskrift For Laeger Jun 2022
Topics: Anisakiasis; Denmark; Humans
PubMed: 35703062
DOI: No ID Found -
Insights Into Imaging Feb 2017Radiologists seldom encounter parasitic diseases in their daily practice in most of Europe, although the incidence of these diseases is increasing due to migration and... (Review)
Review
Radiologists seldom encounter parasitic diseases in their daily practice in most of Europe, although the incidence of these diseases is increasing due to migration and tourism from/to endemic areas. Moreover, some parasitic diseases are still endemic in certain European regions, and immunocompromised individuals also pose a higher risk of developing these conditions. This article reviews and summarises the imaging findings of some of the most important and frequent human parasitic diseases, including information about the parasite's life cycle, pathophysiology, clinical findings, diagnosis, and treatment. We include malaria, amoebiasis, toxoplasmosis, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, echinococcosis, cysticercosis, clonorchiasis, schistosomiasis, fascioliasis, ascariasis, anisakiasis, dracunculiasis, and strongyloidiasis. The aim of this review is to help radiologists when dealing with these diseases or in cases where they are suspected. Teaching Points • Incidence of parasitic diseases is increasing due to migratory movements and travelling. • Some parasitic diseases are still endemic in certain regions in Europe. • Parasitic diseases can have complex life cycles often involving different hosts. • Prompt diagnosis and treatment is essential for patient management in parasitic diseases. • Radiologists should be able to recognise and suspect the most relevant parasitic diseases.
PubMed: 27882478
DOI: 10.1007/s13244-016-0525-2 -
Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology &... 2016Clinicians can be forgiven for thinking of anisakiasis as a rare condition low in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain. Gastrointestinal anisakiasis is a... (Review)
Review
Clinicians can be forgiven for thinking of anisakiasis as a rare condition low in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain. Gastrointestinal anisakiasis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by consumption of raw or undercooked seafood infected with nematodes of the genus . Even though the reported cases indicate that this is a rare disease, the true incidence of the disease could be potentially higher than what is reported in the literature as cases can go undiagnosed. Diagnosis and treatment of gastric anisakiasis are made by a compatible dietary history, direct visualization, and removal of the larvae via gastroscopy. Serologic testing and imaging studies are useful in the diagnosis of intestinal anisakiasis and conservative management should be considered. This disease may mimic other diseases and lead to unnecessary surgery. This emphasizes the importance of suspecting gastrointestinal anisakiasis by history taking and by other diagnostic modalities.
Topics: Abdominal Pain; Animals; Anisakiasis; Anisakis; Diagnosis, Differential; Foodborne Diseases; Humans; Seafood
PubMed: 27800471
DOI: 10.1155/2016/5176502 -
Parasitology Research Aug 2023A review was conducted to identify the most common causative agents of anisakidosis, the methods used for identification of the causative agents, and to summarize the... (Review)
Review
A review was conducted to identify the most common causative agents of anisakidosis, the methods used for identification of the causative agents, and to summarize the sources of infection, and patients' demographics. A total of 762 cases (409 articles, inclusive of all languages) were found between 1965 and 2022. The age range was 7 months to 85 years old. Out of the 34 countries, Japan, Spain, and South Korea stood out with the highest number of published human cases of anisakidosis, respectively. This raises the question: Why are there few to no reports of anisakidosis cases in other countries, such as Indonesia and Vietnam, where seafood consumption is notably high? Other than the gastrointestinal tract, parasites were frequently found in internal organs such as liver, spleen, pancreas, lung, hiatal and epigastric hernia, and tonsils. There are also reports of the worm being excreted through the nose, rectum, and mouth. Symptoms included sore throat, tumor, bleeding, gastric/epigastric/abdominal/substernal/lower back/testicular pain, nausea, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, intestinal obstruction, intussusception, blood in feces, hematochezia, anemia, and respiratory arrest. These appeared either immediately or up to 2 months after consuming raw/undercooked seafood and lasting up to 10 years. Anisakidosis commonly mimicked symptoms of cancer, pancreatitis, type I/II Kounis syndrome, intussusception, Crohn's disease, ovarian cysts, intestinal endometriosis, epigastralgia, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, hernia, intestinal obstruction, peritonitis, and appendicitis. In these cases, it was only after surgery that it was found these symptoms/conditions were caused by anisakids. A range of not only mainly marine but also freshwater fish/shellfish were reported as source of infection. There were several reports of infection with >1 nematode (up to >200), more than one species of anisakids in the same patient, and the presence of L4/adult nematodes. The severity of symptoms did not relate to the number of parasites. The number of anisakidosis cases is grossly underestimated globally. Using erroneous taxonomic terms, assumptions, and identifying the parasite as Anisakis (based solely on the Y-shaped lateral cord in crossed section of the parasite) are still common. The Y-shaped lateral cord is not unique to Anisakis spp. Acquiring a history of ingesting raw/undercooked fish/seafood can be a clue to the diagnosis of the condition. This review emphasizes the following key points: insufficient awareness of fish parasites among medical professionals, seafood handlers, and policy makers; limited availability of effective diagnostic methodologies; and inadequate clinical information for optimizing the management of anisakidosis in numerous regions worldwide.
Topics: Adult; Animals; Female; Humans; Infant; Anisakiasis; Intussusception; Anisakis; Gastritis; Fishes; Intestinal Obstruction
PubMed: 37233816
DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07881-9 -
International Journal For Parasitology.... Aug 2019Anisakidosis is a zoonotic parasitosis induced by members of the family Anisakidae. The anisakid genera includes and . The final definitive hosts of these nematodes are... (Review)
Review
Anisakidosis is a zoonotic parasitosis induced by members of the family Anisakidae. The anisakid genera includes and . The final definitive hosts of these nematodes are marine mammals with a complex life cycle. These nematode parasites use different crustaceans and fish species as intermediate or paratenic hosts and humans are accidental hosts. Human anisakiasis, the infections caused by members of the genus occurs when seafoods, particularly fish, contaminated with the infective stage (third stage larvae [L3]) of this parasite, are consumed. Pseudoterranovosis, on the other hand is induced by members of the genus These two genera of anisakids have been implicated in human disease globally. There is a rise in reports of gastro-intestinal infections accompanied by allergic reactions caused by and . This review provides an update on current knowledge on as a food-borne parasite with special focus on the increasingly reported diversity of fish and crustacean hosts, allergens and immunological cross-reactivity with invertebrate proteins rendering this parasite a significant public health issue.
PubMed: 31338296
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.04.007 -
Archives of Craniofacial Surgery Dec 2017Anisakis is a parasite with life cycles involving fish and marine mammals. Human infection, anisakiasis, occurs with the ingestion of raw infected seafood and usually...
Anisakis is a parasite with life cycles involving fish and marine mammals. Human infection, anisakiasis, occurs with the ingestion of raw infected seafood and usually presents with acute or chronic gastrointestinal symptoms from esophageal or gastric invasion. We report a rare caseinvolving the oral cavity. A 39-year-old male presented with oral and sub-sternal pain of one day duration after eating raw cuttlefish. Physical examination revealed areas of erythema and edema with a central white foreign particle on the labial and buccal mucosa. With microscopic field we could remove the foreign material from the lesions. The foreign material was confirmed to be Anisakis. Anisakis was also removed from the esophagus by esophagogastroduodenoscopy. The patient was discharged the following day without complication. Anisakiasis is frequently reported in Korea and Japan, countries where raw seafood ingestion is popular. The symptoms of acute anisakiasis include pain, nausea, and vomiting and usually begin 2-12 hours after ingestion. The differential diagnosis includes food poisoning, acute gastritis, and acute pancreatitis. A history of raw seafood ingestion is important to the diagnosis of anisakiasis. Treatment is complete removal of the Anisakis to relieve acute symptoms and prevent chronic granulomatous inflammation.
PubMed: 29349051
DOI: 10.7181/acfs.2017.18.4.261