Arthropod Allergens and Human Health

Abstract

Many species of arthropods are the sources of potent allergens that sensitize and induce IgE-mediated allergic reactions in humans. Most of these arthropod allergens are proteins, and the allergic response mechanism to these allergens is the same as it is for allergens from other sources such as plant pollens, molds, and foods. Aside from ingestion of crustaceans (shrimp, lobster), among arthropods, humans have the greatest contact with insects and mites, and as a result allergies to these two groups of arthropods have been the most frequently reported. Because of the large number of people affected by allergic reactions to stinging insects, cockroaches, and dust mites, many allergens of these organisms have been extensively studied, purified, and immunobiochemically characterized and for some recombinant allergens, produced. Cocktails of these recombinant allergens have the potential for use in diagnosis and immunotherapy. In this chapter, we review the insects and mites that induce allergic reactions. Where the information exists, the immunobiochemical characterization of the allergens and the frequency of sensitivity or clinical reactivity in the human population are also reviewed. As background, the beginning of this review includes sections that define allergens, explain the allergic reaction mechanism, and describe the methods for naming allergens.

House Dust Mites, Other Domestic Mites and Forensic Medicine

“…Kronqvist et al (2000) reported that 12% of 440 farmers tested were sensitive to the storage mites Acarus siro, L. destructor, T. putrescentiae, and Glycyphagus domesticus. Similar sensitivities to storage mites have been reported for farmers in Scotland and USA (Arlian et al, 1997;Arlian, 2002). Important storage mite species in occupational settings are L. destructor, G. domesticus, A. siro, T. putrescentiae, Tyrophagus longior, Aleuroglyphus ovatus, Suidasia medanensis, Chortoglyphus arcuatus, and Carpoglyphus sp.…”

“…These include some species of spider mites (e.g., the 2-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae and Panonychus ulmi), which are common pests in orchards, greenhouses, and gardens. These mites were recently proved to induce IgEmediated reactions (Arlian, 2001(Arlian, , 2002Solarz, 2004aSolarz, , 2006. It should come as no surprise to learn that chigger mites (larvae of Trombiculidae), ticks (Ixodida) and other species of ectoparasitic mites (Mesostigmata) of fowl, pigeons, other birds, mice, guinea pigs, and other mammals and some predaceous mites sensitize and induce allergic reactions in human (Arlian and Platts-Mills, 2001).…”

“…These mites are also the source of clinically important allergens and the cause of occupational allergies (known as an allergy to storage mites) among farmers, grain-storage workers and other agricultural workers (van Hage-Hamsten & Johansson, 1998;Morgan & Arlian, 2006;Fernández-Caldas et al, 2007). The greates exposure to storage mites usually occurs in an occupational and/or rural setting where allergies to these mites are of major importance (van Hage-Hamsten et al, 1992;van Hage-Hamsten & Johansson, 1998;Arlian, 2001Arlian, , 2002Stejskal & Hubert, 2008). Many species of storage mites are found in processed foods (flour, boxed baking mixes such as cakes, pancakes, and beignets); in stored hay, grain and straw; in dust in grain and hay storage and livestock feeding facilities.…”

The influence of the type of storage on pest infestation of stored grain in the Czech Republic

“…We can conclude that overall infestation of all types of Czech stores by stored product pests was quite high provided that there is a zero pest tolerance in grain in EU countries (Bode 1996). This may have not only economical but also public health implication for the Czech Republic since many stored product pests are known as allergenic (Olsson and Hage-Hamsten 2001, Arlian 2002.…”

Laminosioptes cysticola in free-range chickens in Minas Gerais, Brazil

“…Hypersensitive humans may express a severe reaction to certain antigens, the most known being tropomyosin and chitin of crustacean arthropods. Tropomyosin is a crossreacting allergen present in insects, mites, crustaceans, mollusks, parasites and household arthropods (ARLIAN, 2002;KA HOU CHU et al, 2000;REESE et al, 1999). Chitin is a long-chain polymer of Nacetylglucosamine, a glucose derivative, being the main component of the cell walls of fungi, the exoskeletons of arthropods, such as crustaceans and insects (CAMPBELL, 1996).…”