Inhalant allergy following occupational exposure to blowflies

Abstract

An allergic reaction, provoked by exposure to the blowfly Lucilia cuprina and shown to be IgE-mediated, occurred in a subject employed in an entomological research laboratory. The subject's serum, and sera from three other asthmatic patients with IgE antibodies to blowfly extracts, also reacted with extracts from the screw-worm fly {Chrysomya bezziana). Results suggested that antigens from the two species share immunological cross-reactivity. Cross-reactions also exist between the difl"erent developmental stages of both species. Allergic reactions to inhaled insect allergens may not be uncommon in the Australian community.

Detection of IgE Antibodies to a Wide Range of Insect Species in Subjects with Suspected Inhalant Allergies to Insects

“…(RASTI These were carried out as previously described [Kaufman et al, 1986]. All insect extracts used were whole body extracts except for a locust faecal extract which was used in addition to locust whole body extract.…”

The risky business of being an entomologist: A systematic review

“…A number of entomologists either transferred to other areas to minimise contact with the allergens (Frankland, 1953;Harris-Roberts et al, 2011;Kaufman et al, 1986;Lunn and Hughes, 1967;Solley and Hyatt, 1980;Tee et al, 1985), or terminated their employment (Kaufman et al, 1989;Monk, 1988;Stevenson and Mathews, 1967). In one case (Stevenson and Mathews,, 1967) this was not sufficient to resolve his symptoms, as it was revealed he had worn his dirty work clothes home with him, and later he tested positive to dust from the rugs, mattress and stuffed furniture within his home, indicating that he had brought the allergens home on his clothing (Stevenson and Mathews, 1967).…”

“…Wearing masks (Kaufman et al, 1986;Solley and Hyatt, 1980) and other forms of protective clothing (Monk 1988) reportedly helped in some cases. In a case reported by Bagenstose et al (1980) it is unclear whether wearing a Martindale mask reduced the entomologist's symptoms; however it did not control his asthma.…”

“…1980;Burge et al 1980;de las Marinas et al, 2014;Frankland 1953;Kaufman et al 1986Kaufman et al , 1989Lugo et al, 1994;Lunn and Hughes, 1967;Monk, 1988;Schroeckenstein et al 1988Schroeckenstein et al , 1990Sheldon and Johnston, 1941;Solley and Hyatt, 1980;Steinberg et al, 1987;Stevenson and Mathews, 1967;Tee et al, 1985;Teranishi et al, 1995), and in many instances symptoms became more severe over time (Bagenstose et al, 1980;de lasMarinas et al, 2014;Frankland, 1953;HarrisRoberts et al, 2011;Kaufman et al, 1986;Lunn and Hughes, 1967;Schroeckenstein et al 1988Schroeckenstein et al , 1990Soparkar et al, 1993;Stevenson and Mathews, 1967). In terms of bites and stings, previous occurrences had not elicited a response of the same severity (Bush et al, Lopata et al (2005) Low Cross-sectional with a non-random sample (Level 3) Draper et al (2003) Low Cross-sectional with a consensus sample (Level 1) Siracusa et al (2003) Moderate Cross-sectional with a consensus sample (Level 1) Dyne et al 1996 Low Cross-sectional with a non-random sample (Level 3) Baur and Liebers (1992) Low Cross-sectional with a non-random sample (Level 3) Kaufman et al (1989) Low Cross-sectional with a non-random sample (Level 3) Burge et al (1980) Moderate Cross-sectional with a consensus sample (Level 1) Wirtz (1980) Low Cross-sectional with a non-random sample (Level 3)…”

“…Allergy: Chironomus thummi thummi hemoglobins (Diptera) Symptoms: Itching, wheal and flare, conjunctival irritation, cough, sneezing, rhinorhea, shortness of breath and wheezing Etkind et al (1982) 1980s USA Laboratory: researchers working with Lymantria dispar dispar (Lepidoptera) Allergy: Lymantria dispar dispar cast larval skins, whole larvae and egg mass hairs (Lepidoptera) Symptoms: Rhinitis, dyspnoea, tearing eyes, wheals and flares, rashes, itching of eyes, papular lesions, and chest tightness Bernstein et al (1983) 1980s USA Bait company: Rearing Tenibrio molitor larvae (Coleoptera) Allergy: Tenibrio molitor exoskeletons (Coleoptera) Symptoms: Wheezing, ocular itching, dyspnoea, rhinorrhea, lacrimation, asthma, rhinitis, and urticaria Ilkal et al (1984) 1980s India Laboratory: working with Aedes aegypti (Diptera) which had been inoculated with serum from a patient with Dengue Dengue infection following a bite from Aedes aegypti inoculated with serum from a patient with Dengue (Diptera) Symptoms: fever chills, body ache, joint pains, and headache Tee et al (1985) 1980s UK Insectary: scientific worker rearing Musca domestica (Diptera) Allergy: Musca domestica fly dust (Diptera) Symptoms: eye irritation, sneezing, and nasal discharge Kaufman et al (1986) 1980s Spieksma et al (1986) 1980s Netherlands Laboratory: working with Drosophilia melanogaster (Diptera) Allergy: Drosophilia melanogaster (Diptera) Symptoms: cough, wheezing, stuffy nose, dyspnoea, and itchy eyes Steinberg et al (1987) 1980s USA Laboratory: work with Blatella germanica and Periplaneta americana (Blattodea)…”