Lonomia caterpillar envenoming in French Guiana reversed by the Brazilian antivenom: A successful case of international cooperation for a rare but deadly tropical hazard

Mayence, Claire; Mathien, Cyrille; Sanna, A.; Houcke, Stéphanie; Tabard, P.; Roux, Alexandre; Valentin, C.; Resiere, Dabor; Lemonnier, D.; Cho, Flaubert Nkont; Hommel, Didier; Fan, Hui Wen; Kallel, Hatem

doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.06.068

Cited by 12 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…She presented pain, systemic hemorrhage, coagulopathy with undetectable plasma fibrinogen, a high level of D-dimer, macroscopic hematuria, but normal platelets count and renal function. She received LAV in the eleventh days after the skin contact and she recovered 5 days after antivenom therapy, corroborating the efficacy of the Lonomia antivenom [ 35 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 58%

“…Diagnosis of envenomation by contact with Lonomia caterpillars is based on clinical signs and symptoms, and the hemorrhagic syndrome is based on consumption coagulopathy. In recent years, Argentina [ 17 , 18 ], Peru [ 20 , 34 ], and French Guiana [ 35 ] have reported accidents resulting from contact with Lonomia caterpillars, including fatalities. In Colombia, from 2005 to 2010, after an epidemiological surveillance protocol is established, the use of LAV was started, and since then, 32 cases have been reported, including two deaths[ 21 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effectiveness of Lonomia antivenom in recovery from the coagulopathy induced by Lonomia orientoandensis and Lonomia casanarensis caterpillars in rats

et al. 2018

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In South America, accidental contact with Lepidoptera larvae can produce a diversity of reactions that vary from dermatological problems to severe hemorrhagic syndromes, such as those caused by contact with caterpillars of the genus Lonomia (Saturniidae). Lonomia venom can alter the hemostatic system and lead to renal failure, internal and brain bleeding, and in severe cases, death. The only specific treatment available for these envenomations is the Lonomia Antivenom (LAV) produced by the Butantan Institute, in Brazil, using an extract of Lonomia obliqua scoli as the antigen. LAV has been used to treat exposure to other Lonomia species across South America. However, no experimental studies have been performed to test the efficacy of LAV in neutralizing the venom of species other than L. obliqua found in Southern Brazil. In this study, we tested the effectiveness of LAV in reversing the hemostatic disturbances induced by injecting Lonomia casanarensis (Lca) and Lonomia orientoandensis (Lor) scolus extracts into rats and compared the effects to the case of L. obliqua (Lob) scolus extract-induced envenomation. Lca and Lor caterpillars were collected in Colombia, and some of them were reared to adults for identification. The Minimum Defibrinating Doses (MDD) of Lca and Lor were estimated. Rats were injected (i.d.) with a dose of 3 MDD per rat of each scolus extract and treated (i.v.) with 1.5 mL of LAV or 1.5 mL of saline. Twenty-four hours after the treatment, the fibrinogen levels and platelet counts had recovered to the hemostatic levels in the groups treated with LAV. The groups treated with the saline solution had fibrinogen levels and platelet counts at non-hemostatic levels. Thromboelastometric analyses confirmed these results. In conclusion, the results showed that LAV is effective at neutralizing the envenomation induced by Lca and Lor spine extracts in rats and restoring hemostasis.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 58%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of Lonomia antivenom in recovery from the coagulopathy induced by Lonomia orientoandensis and Lonomia casanarensis caterpillars in rats

et al. 2018

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“…Just as beauty is not inherent in a visual image, envenomation by caterpillars is a complex clinical manifestation that often not only involves local effects but also systemic effects. Frequently, the clinical profile after envenomation by some caterpillar species, e.g., Lonomia species, begins with burning pain, dermatitis, headache and nausea symptoms but evolves rapidly into a hemorrhagic syndrome accompanied by acute kidney injury (AKI) [10].…”

Section: Systemic Effectmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These substances are used as a defense system and allow the caterpillar to respond actively against predators. For example, after physical irritation, the chitin-rich tips at the distal end of the setae readily break and release a complex venomous cocktail [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Caterpillar Venom: A Health Hazard of the 21st Century

2020

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Caterpillar envenomation is a global health threat in the 21st century. Every direct or indirect contact with the urticating hairs of a caterpillar results in clinical manifestations ranging from local dermatitis symptoms to potentially life-threatening systemic effects. This is mainly due to the action of bioactive components in the venom that interfere with targets in the human body. The problem is that doctors are limited to relieve symptoms, since an effective treatment is still lacking. Only for Lonomia species an effective antivenom does exist. The health and economical damage are an underestimated problem and will be even more of a concern in the future. For some caterpillar species, the venom composition has been the subject of investigation, while for many others it remains unknown. Moreover, the targets involved in the pathophysiology are poorly understood. This review aims to give an overview of the knowledge we have today on the venom composition of different caterpillar species along with their pharmacological targets. Epidemiology, mode of action, clinical time course and treatments are also addressed. Finally, we briefly discuss the future perspectives that may open the doors for future research in the world of caterpillar toxins to find an adequate treatment.

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“…*Corresponding author; E-mail: marcusasoares@yahoo. Larvae of the subfamily Hemileucinae possess urticating bristles or hairs on the body that are capable of inducing dermatitis and hemorrhage (Lemaire & Minet 1999;Moraes et al 2017;Mayence et al 2018). Larvae of the genera Lonomia, Leucanella (Saturniidae: Hemileucinae), and Podalia (Megalopygidae) are considered to be of major medical importance in South America due to the severity of the irritation caused, and the possibility of death after accidental contact (Menezes et al 2013;Quintana et al 2017;Sano-Martins et al 2018).…”

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confidence: 99%

Solanum lycocarpum Saint Hilaire (Solanaceae) is Host Plant of Leucanella memusae (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae: Hemileucinae) in Brazilian Mountain Grasslands

Soares

Sánchez

Júnior

et al. 2019

Florida Entomologist

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Lonomia caterpillar envenoming in French Guiana reversed by the Brazilian antivenom: A successful case of international cooperation for a rare but deadly tropical hazard

Cited by 12 publications

References 27 publications

Effectiveness of Lonomia antivenom in recovery from the coagulopathy induced by Lonomia orientoandensis and Lonomia casanarensis caterpillars in rats

Effectiveness of Lonomia antivenom in recovery from the coagulopathy induced by Lonomia orientoandensis and Lonomia casanarensis caterpillars in rats

Caterpillar Venom: A Health Hazard of the 21st Century

Solanum lycocarpum Saint Hilaire (Solanaceae) is Host Plant of Leucanella memusae (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae: Hemileucinae) in Brazilian Mountain Grasslands

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