Anisakis. From molecular identification to omic studies

Parasitic nematodes of the genus Anisakis are responsible for a fish-borne zoonosis known as anisakiasis, which is associated with gastrointestinal disturbances and/or allergic reactions in humans after ingestion of raw or undercooked fish containing Anisakis third-stage larvae. Prevalent in countries where large quantities of raw fish are consumed (e.g., Japan), anisakiasis is now recognized as an emerging parasitic disease of considerable economic relevance worldwide. Given their limited morphological variations, molecular approaches are increasingly relied upon for inferring the systematic and evolutionary relationships among anisakid nematodes. Recent transcriptomic and proteomic studies on anisakids have helped uncover new insights on the host–parasite interactions and pathogenic mechanisms, further empowering allergen-specific characterization of Anisakis spp.