Objective: To assess the prevalence and mean intensity of anisakids in seafood caught in the Mediterranean Sea, focusing on fish species at risk of being raw-consumed.
Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published from 1960-2012.
Study selection: Main criteria for the inclusion of studies were as follows: Findings of anisakid larvae, in both muscles and viscera; fish species for human consumption caught in the Mediterranean Sea; prevalence and mean intensity data for each species; and sample size equal to or more than 40 fishes.
Results: Twelve studies were identified. Among these, four studies considered the following three fish species that are often consumed raw or preserved lightly, or not cooked thoroughly: anchovy, pilchard, and Atlantic mackerel.
Data synthesis: All pooled analyses were based on the random-effect model. Anisakids prevalence in fish muscle was 0.64% (P < 0.0001), in viscera it was 1.34% (P < 0.0001), and overall prevalence was 0.95% (P < 0.0001). Mean intensity in muscle was 2.31 (P = 0.0083), in viscera it was 1.55 (P = 0.0174), and overall it was 1.81 (P < 0.0005). Heterogeneity indices (I(2)) were significantly high with the exception of viscera mean intensity.
Conclusions: Anchovy, pilchard, and Atlantic mackerel have a low prevalence and mean intensity of anisakidae larvae in both viscera and muscles. Mean Intensity was also low.
Keywords: Anisakids; Mediterranean seafood; fish consumed raw; meta-analysis; systematic review; zoonosis.