Occupational rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma caused by Tetranychus urticae (red spider mite). A case report

Abstract

This paper highlights a clinical case of a patient suffering bronchial asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis due to sensitization to Tetranychus urticae (TU), commonly known as the red spider mite, which belongs to the Prostigmata sub-order of the Tetranychidae family, in relation to a work environment (a carnation nursery). Both prick and intradermal skin tests were positive, as well as specific bronchial challenge tests with TU extract. Specific IgE was demonstrated by RAST (Class 3). Unspecific bronchial provocation with methacholine was negative. Sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) immunoblotting revealed the presence of seven main IgE binding proteins, the more intense bands being those appearing at 21, 17 and 15 kDa. This indicates a case of immediated type hypersensitivity to Tetranychus urticae with a clear correlation to occupational environment.

Mite allergens

“…Among the mites present in horticultural environments, the following have clinical importance: phytophagus mites belonging to the family Tetranychidae [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] (genera Tetranychus and Panonychus) [21][22][23][24][25][26], and predator mites belonging to the families Phytoseiidae (genera Phytoseiulus and Amblyseius), Dermanyssidae (genus Hypoaspis) [27,28,29•], and Hemisarcoptidae (genus Hemisarcoptes) [30]. The main symptoms associated with sensitization and exposure to Tetranychidae mites (red spiders) are rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma.…”

Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) 2008*

“…Other species of mites such as spider mites intervene in other professional environments [Panonychus ulmi in apple growers, Panonychus citri in citrus growers and Tetranychus urticae (345)(346)(347)(348)(349)(350) and Ornithonyssus sylviarum in poultry breeders (351)]. In Korea, the citrus red mite (P. citri) is also a common sensitizing allergen in children living in rural areas near citrus orchards (352,353).…”

Two-spotted spider mite allergy: immunoglobulin E sensitization and characterization of allergenic components

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] They are classified in the order Prostigmata, family Tetranichidae, subfamily Tetranichynae. The other spider mite, citrus red mite (Panonychus citri), is the most important inhalant allergen related to occupational asthma found in citrus farm farmers.…”

“…9,10 All previous TSM-related reports have been confined to occupational exposures. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Although house-dust mite (HDM) has been known as the most important allergen in Korea, 11 a recent investigation demonstrated that TSM could be one of the prevalent inhalant allergens in nonfarmers as well as farmers in pear orchards. 12 Skin prick test (SPT) results of adult asthmatic patients complaining of summer-type asthma indicated that TSM was second in prevalence of sensitivity to HDM.…”

“…12 Two studies on immunoglobulin (Ig)E-binding components of TSM have been reported. 3,4 The sera used in that study were derived from farmers working in fruit orchards. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to observe the prevalence of skin reactivity, serum specific IgE (sIgE) and IgE-binding components of TSM in urban residents not engaged in agriculture.…”