Adverse reactions to the processionary caterpillar: irritant or allergic mechanism?

Santos-Magadán, S.; Olano, D. González de; Bartolomé-Zavala, Borja; Trujillo-Trujillo, M.; A, Meléndez-Baltanás; González-Mancebo, E

doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.2008.01464.x

Cited by 20 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…However, these documented reactions are primarily limited to locally induced dermatologic responses. 3,8–10 To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of anaphylaxis to a new family and species of Lepidoptera caterpillars, Lophocampa maculata, the spotted tussock moth (Fig. 1).…”

mentioning

confidence: 80%

Beware of the Caterpillar: Anaphylaxis to the Spotted Tussock Moth Caterpillar, Lophocampa Maculata

DuGar

Sterbank

Tcheurekdjian

et al. 2014

Allergy�Rhinol (Providence)

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We present a case report of a 5-year-old boy with presumed anaphylaxis to the caterpillar, Lophocampa maculata, manifesting as the acute development of diffuse urticaria and progressive dyspnea. This reaction required prompt treatment with antihistamines and a bronchodilator. Allergen scratch testing with a homogenized caterpillar extract suggests that immunoglobulin E–mediated type I hypersensitivity as the pathophysiological mechanism responsible for the boy's anaphylaxis. This case report represents the first documented occurrence of an anaphylactic reaction to Lophocampa maculata and adds to the rare incidence of documented hypersensitivity to the order Lepidoptera.

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confidence: 80%

Beware of the Caterpillar: Anaphylaxis to the Spotted Tussock Moth Caterpillar, Lophocampa Maculata

DuGar

Sterbank

Tcheurekdjian

et al. 2014

Allergy�Rhinol (Providence)

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“…(1) Within the same population or workers with similar exposure to Thaumetopoea larvae, the great variability among subjects stands out, so that there are patients with almost no symptoms, whereas others present severe reactions [2,17]. (2) IgE sensitization to PPM larvae has been demonstrated by SPT, immunoblotting and ELISA [3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,14]. Besides, specific IgG has not been found in these cases, suggesting that PPM setae induce predominantly IgE-mediated immune response in humans [10].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition to mechanical irritation, PPM causes hypersensitivity reactions in susceptible individuals [3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,14]. There are two different types of skin lesions caused by PPM larvae: immediate wheal-and-flare reactions, and delayed and persistent itchy eruption, usually reported as papular eruption [2,4,6,7,8,9]. Due to overlapping mechanisms (nonallergic and allergic), it is difficult to assess the clinical significance of each one.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ocular lesions and rhinitis can also occur, whereas dyspnea and anaphylaxis are less frequent [2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11]. Nonallergic and allergic factors have been implicated in their pathogenic mechanism [3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,12,13,14]. However, several mechanisms may operate simultaneously, and the clinical role of IgE-mediated responses remains to be elucidated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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IgE Sensitization to <b><i>Thaumetopoea pityocampa</i></b>: Diagnostic Utility of a Setae Extract, Clinical Picture and Associated Risk Factors

Vega

Moneo²,

García-Ortiz

et al. 2014

Int Arch Allergy Immunol

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Background: Setae from Thaumetopoea pityocampa larvae (the pine processionary moth or PPM) can induce hypersensitivity reactions, but their clinical role in IgE-mediated responses is still subject to discussion. The aim of this study was to evaluate a setae extract for in vivo and in vitro diagnosis in nonhospitalized patients with reactions to PPM. Methods: Forty-eight adult patients presenting with PPM cutaneous reactions were studied by skin prick test (SPT) and specific IgE using setae and whole larval (WL) extracts. Biological standardized extracts were used for skin tests. Results: A total of 47.9% patients had a positive SPT for PPM (70% to both extracts, 17% only to the WL extract and 13% only to the setae extract). IgE immunoblotting detected several reactive bands in 91% of the SPT-positive cases. In multivariate analysis, male sex, immediate latency (<1 h) and duration of skin symptoms (<24 h) were independent predictors of a positive SPT. Conclusions: IgE sensitization to PPM was found in 48% of the study patients, which was associated with immediate reactions and evanescent cutaneous lesions. Most of these patients reacted to both WL and setae extracts, but some reacted to only one of them. According to our data, skin and in vitro tests to PPM should be performed using both extracts.

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“…Lepidopterism is a disease that is triggered by the hairs of butterflies, moths and their caterpillars 1–5. In Central Europe, the two main causes of caterpillar dermatitis are the oak and pine processionary caterpillar.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Caterpillar dermatitis revisited: lepidopterism after contact with oak processionary caterpillar

Müller

Tilgen²,

Pföhler³

2011

Case Reports

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Caterpillar dermatitis (lepidopterism) is a disease that is caused by butterflies, moths and their caterpillars. Clinical signs and symptoms vary from itchy skin lesions to conjunctivitis, pharyngitis, malaise and anaphylactic reactions. We present the case of two brothers with typical skin lesions of leptidopterism. The older boy showed skin lesions after playing with caterpillars in the garden, whereas his younger brother was affected without direct contact to the caterpillars but only by playing with his brother. As the mother could show two caterpillars, lepidopterism could easily be diagnosed. Under a local therapy with a medium potent corticosteroid cream and a non-sedating orally administered antihistamine, all skin lesions as well as itching disappeared within 1 week.

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Adverse reactions to the processionary caterpillar: irritant or allergic mechanism?

Cited by 20 publications

References 7 publications

Beware of the Caterpillar: Anaphylaxis to the Spotted Tussock Moth Caterpillar, Lophocampa Maculata

Beware of the Caterpillar: Anaphylaxis to the Spotted Tussock Moth Caterpillar, Lophocampa Maculata

IgE Sensitization to <b><i>Thaumetopoea pityocampa</i></b>: Diagnostic Utility of a Setae Extract, Clinical Picture and Associated Risk Factors

Caterpillar dermatitis revisited: lepidopterism after contact with oak processionary caterpillar

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