Carpet beetle dermatitis: a possibly under‐recognized entity

Occurrence, ecological function and medical importance of dermestid beetle hastisetae

“…These species became serious pests, causing considerable loss and damage to stored goods of both animal and plant origin (Hinton, 1945;Burges, 1959;Kantack & Staples, 1969;Mroczkowski, 1975;Beal, 1991;Veer, Prasad & Rao, 1991a;Veer, Prasad & Rao, 1991b;Veer & Rao, 1995;Veer, Negi & Rao, 1996;Imura, 2003;Rajendran & Hajira Parveen, 2005;Lawrence & Slipinski, 2010) and to objects of organic origin in museums of cultural and natural history (Jurecka, Gebhart & Mainitz, 1987;Zaitseva, 1987;Armes, 1988;Bousquet, 1990;Pinniger & Harmon, 1999;Stengaard et al, 2012;Querner, 2015). The hastisetae released by the larva throughout its entire development and abandoned in the environment in association to the exuviae are an important contaminant in dwelling, public spaces as well as food stuff (Gorham, 1979;Gorham, 1989;Burgess, 1993) and can contribute as allergens in humans (Wiseman et al, 1959;Johansson, Wüthrich & Zortea-Caflisch, 1985;Baldo & Panzani, 1988;Burgess, 1993;Pauli & Bessot, 2009;Gorgojo et al, 2015;MacArthur et al, 2016): chitin, likely the main constituent of the hastisetae, is in fact a powerful and widely recognized allergen, and its interaction with Th2 lymphocytes and human chitinases enhances the inflammation process (Brinchmann et al, 2011;Bucolo et al, 2011;Mack et al, 2015). However, it is still unclear whether the inflammatory effect of the hastisetae is attributable to the mechanical action of the seta and its penetration through the epithelia or if it is associated to the presence of specific molecules capable to start an immunological reaction.…”

“…This prolonged presence inside houses together with the persistence of the hastisetae in the environment greatly increase the possibility for the humans to come into contact and develop a sensitization to these detachable hairs (Wiseman et al, 1959;Ayres & Mihan, 1967;Kaufman, Bado & Tovey, 1986;Burgess, 1993;Jakubas-Zawalska et al, 2016). The direct exposure of hastisetae to the skin, maybe due to contaminated bed or clothes, causes severe dermatitis (Sheldon & Johnston, 1941;Cormia & Lewis, 1948;Okumura, 1967;Ahmed et al, 1981;Alexander, 1984;Johansson, Wüthrich & Zortea-Caflisch, 1985;Southcott, 1989;Horster et al, 2002;Zanca, Zanca & Cassisa, 2012;Hoverson et al, 2015;MacArthur et al, 2016), while the repeated inhalation over a longer period may cause asthma (Cuesta-Herranz et al, 1997;Brito et al, 2002;Bernstein et al, 2009). Food contamination and hastisetae ingestion has been proved to cause the inflammation of the digestive system, manifesting through nausea, fever, diarrhea (Hirao, 2000), proctitis and perianal itching (Krause et al, 1998).…”

“…The incidence of pathologies associated with Dermestidae and Megatominae in particular, seems to be considerably reduced in recent decades probably due to the increased degree of attention regarding the presence of contaminants in food and the marked improvement in the processes of conservation and storage of raw materials; the development of adequate plans for monitoring and management of pests and the general improvement in the quality of life of people associated with greater healthiness of the houses have contributed further to the imitation of the impact (Athanassiou & Arthur, 2018). However, there is also the possibility that many domestic cases of exposure to hastisetae, especially in the case of skin rushes (erythematobullous reactions) may be under-recognized and underdiagnosed, due to similar effects to attacks by other arthropods (Burgess, 1993;MacArthur et al, 2016). Furthermore, almost all the cases reported in the medical literature regard developed countries while the effect of hastisetae on human health in developing countries remains almost obscure and widely understudied.…”

“…Hastisetae and integument fragments carrying them can be contaminants of stored commodities and are present in working and living environments (Hinton, 1945). Hastisetae seem to be involved in allergic reactions through skin contact, ingestion or inhalation; symptoms can vary accordingly to exposition and consist of skin rushes, asthma, conjunctivitis and digestive system inflammation (Gorgojo et al, 2015;MacArthur et al, 2016). Correlation between the presence of hastisetae and the incidence of allergies in humans exists but the scarce and incomplete information available do not allow to consider hastisetae as a major hazard in living and working places.…”

Peer Review #3 of "Occurrence, ecological function and medical importance of dermestid beetle hastisetae (v0.2)"

“…75 Hastisetae and integument fragments carrying them can be contaminants of stored commodities 76 and are present in working and living environments (Hinton, 1945). Hastisetae seem to be 77 involved in allergic reactions through skin contact, ingestion or inhalation; symptoms can vary 78 accordingly to exposition and consist of skin rushes, asthma, conjunctivitis and digestive system 79 inflammation MacArthur et al 2016). Correlation between the presence of 80 hastisetae and the incidence of allergies in humans exists but the scarce and incomplete 81 information available do not allow to consider hastisetae as a major hazard in living and working 82 places.…”