Prevalence and Mean Intensity of Anisakidae Parasite in Seafood Caught in Mediterranean Sea Focusing on Fish Species at Risk of Being Raw-consumed. A Meta Analysis and Systematic Review

Objective: to assess the prevalence and the mean intensity of anisakids in seafood caught in Mediterranean sea, focusing on fish species at risk of being raw-consumed. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published 1960-2012. Study selection: main criteria for inclusion of studies were: findings of anisakids larvae, both in muscles and viscera; fish species for human consumption, caught in Mediterranean Sea; prevalence and mean intensity data for each species; sample size equal to or more than 40 fishes. Results: twelve studies were identified. Among them four studies considered fish species which are often consumed raw or lightly preserved or not thoroughly cooked anchovy, pilchard and Atlantic mackerel. Data synthesis: all pooled analyses were based on random-effect model. Anisakids prevalence in fish muscle was 0.64% (P < 0.0001), in viscera was 1.34% (P < 0.0001); overall was 0.95% (P < 0.0001). Mean intensity in muscle was 2.31 (P = 0.0083), in viscera was 1.55 (P = 0.0174), overall was 1.81 (P < 0.0005). Heterogeneity indexes (I2) were significantly high with the exception of viscera mean intensity. Conclusions: anchovy, pilchard, Atlantic mackerel have a low prevalence and mean intensity of Anisakidae larvae both in viscera and in muscle. Mean Intensity is low as well.