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Anisakids are nematodes responsible for different clinical patterns in humans. The well-known human-infecting Anisakis species include members of the Anisakis simplex (AS) complex. Humans usually contract anisakiasis through ingestion of raw or undercooked seafood containing Anisakis larvae. Once Anisakis has been ingested, patients may develop disease driven directly by Anisakis larvae and/or by allergic reaction due to this nematode. The capability of inducing allergic reactions depends on the expression of specific antigens by nematodes and host factors. This study aims to resume actual knowledge about AS and Anisakiasis with regard to epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment. Particular attention is paid to Anisakis allergens and their cross-reactivity on available diagnostic methods, and defining a diagnostic pathway for Anisakis allergy. Because only a few data are available in the literature about pediatric population, we focus on this group of patients specifically.

Food allergy is an adverse immunological reaction to allergens present in food. Up to 4% adults and 8% children are affected by food allergy. The increase in allergic diseases to food has led to the need for better diagnostics and more effective therapeutic approaches. This book describes the molecular biology and immunology of major food allergens, from laboratory based science to clinical immunology, encompassing novel characterisation and quantification methods, the application of recombinant food allergens in molecular diagnosis and the development of novel therapeutics. This book is the ideal reference tool for researchers, students and allergy clinicians to accurately diagnose and manage food allergies.

Cockroaches are important allergen sources in many countries, especially in the tropics. Cockroaches produce several allergens that are major risk factors for rhinitis and asthma. Worldwide, the prevalence of cockroach sensitivity varies between 30% and 70%.Geographical differences exist with regard to cockroach allergen exposure and sensitivity within countries and between countries. No data are available for Africa in this regard. Currently the diagnosis of cockroach sensitivity in southern Africa relies mainly on the detection of specific IgE to Blatella germanica (German cockroach), while a number of other species are found close to human dwellings. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and distribution of sensitisation to three different cockroach species among subjects residing in four different geographical regions in southern Africa. Strong IgE reactivity particular to B. germanica was found among subjects residing in Pretoria and Harare. By contrast strong IgE responses to other cockroach species, Periplaneta americana and Blatta orientalis, were observed in subjects living in Cape Town and Durban. The levels of specific IgE antibodies to all three cockroach species appeared to be higher in Cape Town than those from the other three cities investigated. Monosensitivity to all three cockroach species was observed and minimal cross-reactivity to house-dust mite. These data show that allergy to P. americana and B. orientalis are an important diagnostic consideration in temperate and coastal regions of southern Africa, whereas sensitisation to B. germanica appears to predominate in regions of higher altitude such as Pretoria and Harare.