Screening of Anisakis-Related Allergies and Associated Factors in a Mediterranean Community Characterized by High Seafood Consumption

Dietary changes expose consumers to risks from larvae in seafood, leading to parasitic diseases and allergies. is recognized by EFSA as a significant hazard, with potential oncogenic implications. Diagnostic advancements, like the Basophil Activation Test (BAT), enhance sensitivity and accuracy in identifying sensitization, complementing traditional IgE tests. We conducted a cross-sectional study on patients with allergic symptoms from April 2021 to April 2023 at two outpatient clinics in western Sicily. Our goal was to assess the prevalence of -related allergies and to identify risk profiles using specific IgE and the BAT, especially in regions with high raw fish consumption. The study evaluated specific IgE as a screening tool for sensitization, using questionnaires, blood samples, and immuno-allergology analyses. -specific IgE values were compared with the BAT results, with statistical analyses including Fisher's exact test and logistic regression. The results showed an 18.5% seroprevalence of IgE, while the BAT as a second-level test showed 4.63%, indicating the BAT's superior specificity and accuracy. The study highlighted the importance of the BAT in diagnosing sensitization, especially in cases of cross-reactivity with Ascaris and tropomyosin. The findings confirm the BAT's exceptional specificity in identifying sensitization and support using -specific IgE for population-based risk profiling. The BAT can effectively serve as a confirmatory test.