Usefulness of the Nasal Allergen Provocation Test in the Diagnosis of Shellfish Allergy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Shellfish allergy is a major cause of food allergy and anaphylaxis worldwide. Several allergenic proteins have been described in the last few years, but the only diagnostic tool that still enables discrimination between allergic and nonallergic sensitized persons is the oral food challenge (OFC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the nasal allergen provocation test (NAPT) as a diagnostic tool in shellfish allergy. METHODS: Forty-five patients with confirmed sensitization to shrimp by a positive skin prick test (SPT) result with a commercial shrimp extract were recruited and classified as sensitized-allergic or sensitized-nonallergic based on current tolerance to shrimp intake, the result of an OFC with a freeze-dried cooked shrimp mixture extract, or a recent history of anaphylaxis induced by shrimp ingestion. These patients and 10 controls not sensitized to shrimp underwent NAPT with a freeze-dried cooked shrimp mixture extract. The response was evaluated using acoustic rhinometry and a visual analog scale. RESULTS: Significant differences (P=.001) were found between the sensitized-allergic group (18/20 positive NAPT, 90%) and both the sensitized-nonallergic group (2/18 positive NAPT, 11.1%) and controls (0/10 positive NAPT). NAPT enables differentiation between allergic and nonallergic persons with a sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 89%, positive predictive value of 90%, and negative predictive value of 89%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that NAPT makes it possible to differentiate between sensitized symptomatic patients and sensitized tolerant patients and could be a valuable diagnostic tool when assessing shrimp allergy.

Evaluation of the safety, tolerance and efficacy of 1-year consumption of infant formula supplemented with Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 Lc40 or Bifidobacterium breve CECT7263: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The microorganism present in breast milk, added to other factors, determine the colonization of infants. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the safety, tolerance and effects of the consumption of a milk formula during the first year of life that is supplemented with L. fermentum CECT5716 or Bifidobacterium breve CECT7263, two strains originally isolated from breast milk. METHODS: A randomized, double blind, controlled, parallel group study including healthy, formula-fed infants was conducted. Two hundred and thirty-six 1-month-old infants were selected and randomly divided into three study groups according to a randomization list. Infants in the control group received a standard powdered infant formula until 12 months of age. Infants in the probiotic groups received the same infant formula but supplemented with L. fermentum CECT5716 Lc40 or B. breve CECT7263. Main outcome was weigh-gain of infants as safety marker. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-nine infants completed the eleven months of intervention (61 in control group, 65 in Lf group and 63 in Bb group). The growth of infants in the three groups was consistent with standards. No significant differences were observed in the main outcome, weight-gain (Control group: 5.77 Kg ± 0.95, Lf group: 5.77 Kg ± 1.31, Bb group: 5.58 Kg ± 1.10; p = 0.527). The three milk formulae were well tolerated, and no adverse effects were related to the consumption of any of the formula. Infants receiving B. breve CECT7263 had a 1.7 times lower risk of crying than the control group (OR = 0.569, CI 95% 0.568-0.571; p = 0.001). On the other hand, the incidence of diarrhoea in infants receiving the formula supplemented with L. fermentum CECT5716 was a 44% lower than in infants receiving the control formula (p = 0.014). The consumption of this Lactobacillus strain also reduced the duration of diarrhoea by 2.5 days versus control group (p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of L. fermentum CECT5716 Lc40 or B. breve CECT7263, two probiotic strains naturally found in breast milk, to infant formulae is safe and induces beneficial effects on the health of infants. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was retrospectively registered in the US Library of Medicine ( www.clinicaltrial.gov ) with the number NCT03204630 . Registered 11 August 2016.

Relevance of Allergenic Sensitization to Cynodon dactylon and Phragmites communis: Cross-reactivity With Pooideae Grasses.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The homologous group of sweet grasses belongs to the Pooideae subfamily, but grass pollen species from other subfamilies can also cause allergy, such as Cynodon dactylon (Chloridoideae) and Phragmites communis (Arundinoideae). C dactylon and P communis have not been included in the sweet grasses homologous group because of their low cross-reactivity with other grasses. The aims of this study were to investigate the profile of sensitization to C dactylon and P communis in patients sensitized to grasses and to analyze cross-reactivity between these 2 species and temperate grasses. METHODS: Patients were skin prick tested with a grass mixture (GM). Specific IgE to GM, C dactylon, P communis, Cyn d 1, and Phl p 1 was measured by ImmunoCAP. A pool of sera was used for the immunoblot assays. Cross-reactivity was studied by ELISA and immunoblot inhibition. RESULTS: Thirty patients had sIgE to GM. Twenty-four (80%) had positive results for C dactylon, 27 (90%) for P communis, 22 (73.3%) for nCyn d 1, and 92.9% for rPhl p 1. Bands were detected in the 3 extracts by immunoblot. Inhibition of GM was not observed with C dactylon or P communis by immunoblot or ELISA inhibition. When C dactylon or P communis were used in the solid phase, GM produced almost complete inhibition. CONCLUSIONS: Eighty percent of patients sensitized to grasses were also sensitized to C dactylon and 90% were sensitized to P communis. Sensitization to these species seems to be induced by allergens different to those in sweet grasses.

Assessing the growth of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in spinach, lettuce, parsley and chard extracts at different storage temperatures.

AIMS: The objective of this work was to study the growth potential of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. in leafy vegetable extracts at different temperature conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cocktails of five strains of E. coli O157:H7 and of Salmonella enterica were used. Inoculated aqueous vegetable extracts were incubated at 8, 10, 16 and 20°C during 21 days. Microbial growth was monitored using Bioscreen C(®) . In spinach extract, results showed that for E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella significant differences (P < 0·05) for µabs (maximum absorbance rate) were obtained. For both pathogens, growth in chard was slightly lower. In contrast, iceberg lettuce and parsley showed the lowest values of µabs , below 0·008 h(-1) . The coefficients of variance (CoV) calculated for the different replicates evidenced that at low temperature (8°C) a more variable behaviour of both pathogens is expected (CoV > 180%). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that aqueous extracts from vegetable tissues can result in distinct growth niche producing different response in various types of vegetables. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Finally, these results can be used as basis to establish risk rankings of pathogens and leafy vegetable matrices with relation to their potential growth.

Relevance of allergenic sensitization to cynodon dactylon and Phragmites communis: cross-reactivity with pooideae grasses

Background and Objectives: The homologous group of sweet grasses belongs to the Pooideae subfamily, but grass pollen species from other subfamilies can also cause allergy, such as Cynodon dactylon (Chloridoideae) and Phragmites communi (Arundinoideae). C dactylon and P communis have not been included in the sweet grasses homologous group because of their low cross-reactivity with other grasses. The aims of this study were to investigate the profile of sensitization to C dactylon and P communis in patients sensitized to grasses and to analyze cross-reactivity between these 2 species and temperate grasses. Methods: Patients were skin prick tested with a grass mixture (GM). Specific IgE to GM, C dactylon, P communis, Cyn d 1, and Phl p 1 was measured by ImmunoCAP. A pool of sera was used for the immunoblot assays. Cross-reactivity was studied by ELISA and immunoblot inhibition. Results: Thirty patients had sIgE to GM. Twenty-four (80%) had positive results for C dactylon, 27 (90%) for P communis, 22 (73.3%) or nCyn d 1, and 92.9% for rPhl p 1. Bands were detected in the 3 extracts by immunoblot. Inhibition of GM was not observed with C dactylon or P communis by immunoblot or ELISA inhibition. When C dactylon or P communis were used in the solid phase, GM produced almost complete inhibition. Conclusions: Eighty percent of patients sensitized to grasses were also sensitized to C dactylon and 90% were sensitized to P communis. Sensitization to these species seems to be induced by allergens different to those in sweet grasses (AU)

Antecedentes y Objetivos: Desde un punto de vista taxonómico, el grupo homólogo de las gramíneas pertenece a la sub-familia Pooideae. Sin embargo, existen también otras especies de gramíneas alergénicas que pertenecen a sub-familias diferentes como son Cynodon dactylon (Chloridoideae) o Phragmites communis (Arundinoideae). C. dactylon y P. communis no están incluidas en este grupo homólogo debido a que la reactividad cruzada con otras gramíneas es limitada. Los objetivos del estudio fueron investigar el perfil de sensibilización a C. dactylon y P. communis en pacientes sensibilizados a gramíneas y analizar la reactividad cruzada entre estas dos especies y las gramíneas más comunes. Métodos: A los pacientes se les realizó una prueba cutánea con una mezcla de gramíneas (MG). Mediante ImmunoCAP se midió la IgE específica para MG, C. dactylon P. communis , Cyn d 1 y Phl p 1. Un pool de sueros se utilizó para ensayos de inmunoblot. La reactividad cruzada se estudió mediante ELISA e inmunoblot inhibición Resultados: Treinta pacientes tuvieron IgE específica para MG. Veinticuatro (80%) fueron positivos a C. dactylon, 27 (90%) a P. communis, 22 (73,3%) a nCyn d 1 y 92,9% fueron positivos a rPhl p 1. Se detectaron bandas en los tres extractos mediante inmunoblot. No se observó inhibición de MG con las otras dos especies mediante inmunoblot o ELISA inhibición. Cuando C. dactylon o P. communis se usaron en fase sólida, MG produjo una inhibición casi completa. Conclusiones: El 80% de los pacientes sensibilizados a gramíneas estaban también sensibilizados a C. dactylon y el 90% a P. communis. La sensibilización a estas especies parece estar inducida por diferentes alérgenos que en el caso de gramíneas (AU)

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 ScienceDirect). 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.

Prevalence of sensitization to pollen from trees planted in Barcelona city

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Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in respiratory allergy are different depending on the profile of aeroallergen sensitisation.

BACKGROUND: There are few studies which analyse the characteristics of allergic respiratory disease according to profiles of sensitisation to different allergens. This study describes the clinical features and therapeutic approaches, according to the sensitisation profile to relevant aeroallergens, in a sample of adult patients with a first-time diagnosis of respiratory allergy (rhinitis and/or asthma). METHODS: 1287 patients, enrolled consecutively in the spring of 2010 by 200 allergy specialists, were classified into four groups according to sensitisation to significant allergens in each geographical area (grass pollen, olive pollen, grass and olive pollen, house dust mites). Information was obtained on demographics, diagnostic procedures used, treatments prescribed, clinical characteristics of the rhinitis, and severity and control of asthma. RESULTS: Of the patients, 58.6% had rhinitis only and 38.7% had both rhinitis and asthma. Patients with more severe rhinitis had more severe and poorer controlled asthma. Sensitisation to different allergens was not associated with significant differences in severity and control of asthma, but patients with house dust mite allergy presented persistent rhinitis more frequently. Allergy to grass pollen was significantly associated with food allergies. Differences were observed in the frequency of prescription of immunotherapy and antileukotrienes in patients allergic to house dust mites and of topical corticosteroids in patients with pollen allergy. CONCLUSIONS: It was observed in this study that in respiratory allergy disease, there are clinical differences as well as differences in diagnostic procedure and therapeutic attitudes, depending on the clinically relevant allergen.

Prevalence of asthma and severity of allergic rhinitis comparing 2 perennial allergens: house dust mites and Parietaria judaica pollen.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an increasingly prevalent worldwide disease that has a considerable impact on quality of life and health care costs. Asthma and AR may be part of the same disease, with AR leading to an increased risk of asthma. OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of asthma in patients with AR due to house dust mites (HDMs) or Parietaria judaica and analyze the characteristics of asthma and AR in each group. METHODS: Cross-sectional, multicenter study with recording of demographic and clinical characteristics. All patients had AR confirmed by symptoms and a positive skin prick test to HDMs or P judaica. They were classified according to the severity and frequency ofAR following the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) and modified ARIA criteria and according to the severity of asthma following the Global Initiative for Asthma criteria. RESULTS: We studied 395 patients (226 in the HDM group and 169 in the Pjudaica group) with a mean (SD) age of 43 (15.3) years. Using the modified ARIA criteria, we detected more severe and persistent AR in the P judaica group than in the HDM group (44.5% vs 24.8%, P < .001). Nevertheless, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of the severity or prevalence (50% in HDM vs 47.9% in P judaica, P = .685) of asthma. CONCLUSION: AR due to P judaica pollen, which behaves like a perennial allergen, is associated with the same prevalence of asthma and with more severe rhinitis than AR due to HDMs.

Prevalence of Asthma and Severity of Allergic Rhinitis Comparing 2 Perennial Allergens: House Dust Mites and Parietaria judaica Pollen

Antecedentes: La rinitis alérgica (RA) es una enfermedad de prevalencia creciente en todo el mundo, con un importante impacto en la calidad de vida, generando un elevado coste sanitario. La rinitis y el asma pueden ser consideradas como parte de una misma enfermedad y por tanto, la RA puede conducir a un incremento del riesgo de desarrollar asma. Objetivos: Evaluar la prevalencia de asma en pacientes con RA por ácaros del polvo doméstico (APD) y en pacientes con RA por Parietaria judaica y evaluar las características de la rinitis y del asma en cada grupo. Métodos: Estudio multicéntrico, transversal. Se registraron las características demográficas y clínicas de todos los pacientes. Todos los pacientes tenían RA confirmada por síntomas y pruebas positivas a APD o a Parietaria judaica. Los pacientes se clasificaron según la gravedad y la frecuencia de la rinitis siguiendo los criterios del ARIA y ARIA modificada y la gravedad del asma según los criterios de la GINA. Resultados: Se incluyeron un total de 395 pacientes, 226 en el grupo de APD y 169 en el grupo de la Parietaria judaica, con una media de edad de 43±15,3 años. La clasificación ARIA modificada nos permitió detectar que el grupo de Parietaria presentaba una rinitis más persistente y grave comparado con el grupo de APD (44,5% versus 24,8%, p<0,001). Sin embargo, no se obtuvieron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre la gravedad y la prevalencia (50% en APD vs 47,9% en Parietaria, p=0,685) del asma en los dos grupos. Conclusiones: La RA por polen de Parietaria judaica, que se comporta como un alérgeno perenne, puede causar la misma prevalencia de asma y una rinitis más grave que APD (AU)

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an increasingly prevalent worldwide disease that has a considerable impact on quality of life and health care costs. Asthma and AR may be part of the same disease, with AR leading to an increased risk of asthma. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of asthma in patients with AR due to house dust mites (HDMs) or Parietaria judaica and analyze the characteristics of asthma and AR in each group. Methods: Cross-sectional, multicenter study with recording of demographic and clinical characteristics. All patients had AR confirmed by symptoms and a positive skin prick test to HDMs or P judaica. They were classified according to the severity and frequency of AR following the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) and modified ARIA criteria and according to the severity of asthma following the Global Initiative for Asthma criteria. Results: We studied 395 patients (226 in the HDM group and 169 in the P judaica group) with a mean (SD) age of 43 (15.3) years. Using the modified ARIA criteria, we detected more severe and persistent AR in the P judaica group than in the HDM group (44.5% vs 24.8%, P<.001). Nevertheless, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of the severity or prevalence (50% in HDM vs 47.9% in P judaica, P=.685) of asthma. Conclusion: AR due to P judaica pollen, which behaves like a perennial allergen, is associated with the same prevalence of asthma and with more severe rhinitis than AR due to HDMs (AU)

Lipid transfer protein syndrome: clinical pattern, cofactor effect and profile of molecular sensitization to plant-foods and pollens.

BACKGROUND: Multiple plant-food sensitizations with a complex pattern of clinical manifestations are a common feature of lipid transfer protein (LTP)-allergic patients. Component-resolved diagnosis permits the diagnosis of the allergen sensitization profile. OBJECTIVE: We sought to clinically characterize and describe the plant-food and pollen molecular sensitization profile in patients with LTP syndrome. METHODS: Forty-five subjects were recruited, after being diagnosed with multiple plant-food allergies sensitized to LTP, but not to any other plant-food allergen, according to the molecular allergen panel tested (Pru p 3 (LTP), Pru p 1 (Bet v 1-like), Pru p 4 (profilin) and those included in a commercial microarray of 103 allergenic components). IgE-mediated food-allergy symptoms and pollinosis were collected. Patients were skin prick tested with a plant-food and pollens panel, and specific IgE to Tri a 14 was evaluated. RESULTS: A heterogeneous group of plant-foods was involved in local and systemic symptoms: oral allergy syndrome (75.6%), urticaria (66.7%), gastrointestinal disorders (55.6%) and anaphylaxis (75.6%), 32.4% of which were cofactor dependent (Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs, exercise). All tested subjects were positive to peach and Pru p 3, Tri a 14 and to some of the LTPs included in the microarray. Pollinosis was diagnosed in 75.6% of subjects, with a broad spectrum of pollen and pollen-allergen sensitization. Plane tree and mugwort were the statistically significant pollens associated with Pru p 3. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Several plant-foods, taxonomically unrelated, independent of peach involvement, are implicated in LTP syndrome. Local symptoms should be evaluated as a risk marker for anaphylaxis because they are frequently associated with cofactor-dependent anaphylaxis. The association of these symptoms with pollinosis, especially plane tree pollinosis, could be part of this syndrome in our area.

Diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis in children: Results of the PETRA study

Background: Good control of allergic rhinitis (AR) in children is desirable because it is associated with diseases such as asthma. The aim of this analysis of the PETRA study was to characterize its diagnosis and treatment in Spanish children. Methods: Data were analysed for paediatric patients (age 5-17 years, inclusive) included in the PETRA study, which included consecutive patients with allergic rhinitis attending respiratory specialists throughout Spain. Demographic information, disease characteristics (duration, severity according to the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma [ARIA] classification), diagnostic procedures, treatments and physicians’ attitudes to treatment were recorded. Results: Of the original sample of 1043 patients, 260 children were included (mean age, 11.7 years; 56.2% boys; 61.9% allergic to house dust mites (HDM) and 38.1% allergic to grass pollen). By ARIA classification, 180/260 (69.4%) had persistent AR and 176/280 (63%) had moderate disease. Asthma was reported in 89/161 (55%) with HDM allergy and 44/99 (45%) with grass pollen allergy. Symptomatic treatment was prescribed in 98.5%, although disease control had been no better than poor in 57.3%. Allergen specific immunotherapy was administered to 56.9%, and was used more often for HDM AR. When asked why specific immunotherapy was not prescribed, two-thirds of the investigators preferred a wait-and-see approach, prescribing immunotherapy if symptoms worsened or asthma developed. Conclusions: Paediatric patients treated by specialists for allergic rhinitis have moderate or severe disease. Symptomatic treatment was extensively prescribed but often did not achieve good disease control. Many specialists preferred a wait-and-see approach before prescribing immunotherapy(AU)

Clinical use of oral antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids in patients with allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Second-generation oral antihistamines (AH) and intranasal corticosteroids (ICS) are the most widely used drugs for allergic rhinitis (AR). OBJECTIVE: To obtain information on the preferences for and applications of these drugs under conditions of routine clinical practice. METHODS: We performed a multicenter multidisciplinary observational study. Participating physicians completed a questionnaire with information on preferences for and application of drugs for AR, patient characteristics, and physician/patient satisfaction with the treatment provided (visual analog scale). RESULTS: A total of 1008 physicians participated in the study (primary care physicians, 53%; ear, nose, and throat specialists, 28%; allergologists, 19%). Treatment preferences in AR were AH combined with ICS (7.68), AH (7.25), and ICS (6.94). AH and ICS were used continuously by 58% and 71% of patients, respectively. Physicians reported having a good knowledge of the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma guidelines (93%), and 90% claimed to follow the guidelines. A total of 4040 patients were recruited (52% females, mean [SD] age 34 [14] years). The findings for AR were as follows: mean (SD) duration, 9 (8) years; persistent AR, 52%; mild AR, 72%; moderate AR, 7%; and severe AR, 1%. Patients considered the disorder to be well controlled/almost controlled (79%). As for treatment, 77% followed the regimen recommended by the physician. Oral treatment (41%) and intranasal treatment (22%) were preferred, while 35% showed no preference for any given administration route. The treatments prescribed were AH combined with ICS (66%), AH (20%), ICS (11%), other antihistamines (4%), and other drugs (6%). Combination treatment was the preferred therapy, regardless of the type of rhinitis. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians prefer and more often use combination treatment with oral AH and ICS, regardless of the frequency and intensity of AR.

Stress and allergy.

In recent years it has been seen that the nervous and immune systems regulate each other reciprocally, thus giving rise to a new field of study known as psychoneuroimmunology. Stress is defined as a general body response to initially threatening external or internal demands, involving the mobilization of physiological and psychological resources to deal with them. In other words, stress is characterized by an imbalance between body demands and the capacity of the body to cope with them. The persistence of such a situation gives rise to chronic stress, which is the subject of the present study, considering its repercussions upon different organs and systems, with special emphasis on the immune system and--within the latter--upon the implications in relation to allergic disease. Activation of the neuroendocrine and sympathetic systems through catecholamine and cortisol secretion exerts an influence upon the immune system, modifying the balance between Th1/Th2 response in favor of Th2 action. It is not possible to affirm that chronic stress is intrinsically able to cause allergy, though the evidence of different studies suggests than in genetically susceptible individuals, such stress may favor the appearance of allergic disease on one hand, and complicate the control of existing allergy on the other.

Air pollution and allergens.

It is well known that the prevalence of allergic diseases has increased in recent decades in the industrialized world. Exposure to environmental pollutants may partially account for this increased prevalence. In effect, air pollution is a growing public health problem. In Europe, the main source of air pollution due to particles in suspension is represented by motor vehicles--particularly those that use diesel fuel. Diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) are composed of a carbon core upon which high-molecular weight organic chemical components and heavy metals deposit. Over 80% of all DEPs are in the ultrafine particle range (< 0.1 pm in diameter). Air pollutants not only have a direct or indirect effect upon the individual, but also exert important actions upon aeroallergens. Pollen in heavily polluted zones can express a larger amount of proteins described as being allergenic. Through physical contact with the pollen particles, DEPs can disrupt the former, leading to the release of paucimicronic particles and transporting them by air--thus facilitating their penetration of the human airways. Climate change in part gives rise to variations in the temperature pattern characterizing the different seasons of the year. Thus, plants may vary their pollination calendar, advancing and prolonging their pollination period. In addition, in the presence of high CO2 concentrations and temperatures, plants increase their pollen output. Climate change may also lead to the extinction of species, and to the consolidation of non-native species--with the subsequent risk of allergic sensitization among the exposed human population. In conclusion, there is sufficient scientific evidence on the effect of air pollution upon allergens, increasing exposure to the latter, their concentration and/or biological allergenic activity.

In vivo larvicidal activity of monoterpenic derivatives from aromatic plants against L3 larvae of Anisakis simplex s.l.

In view of the lack of an effective pharmacological treatment against human anisakiosis, a disease produced by L(3) larvae of the genus Anisakis present in raw fish, we studied the in vivo larvicidal effect of certain monoterpenic derivatives against L(3) of A. simplex s.l. The aldehydic monoterpene citral and the alcoholic citronellol, when they are administered together to the larvae of the nematode at the concentration of 46.90 mg/0.5 ml in olive oil, achieve 85.90% and 67.53% dead L(3), respectively, and also stop rats suffering gastrointestinal hemorrhages produced by the larvae.