What’s Eating You? Caterpillars

Ellis, Carter Reid

doi:10.12788/cutis.0406

Cited by 4 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…In the present work, different types of ion channels and receptors were investigated ( 1 ): voltage-gated sodium channels (rNa v 1.2, rNa v 1.3, rNa v 1.4, mNa v 1.6 and hNa v 1.8) and their auxiliary subunits rβ1 and hβ1 ( 2 ), potassium channels (hK v 1.1, hK v 1.2, hK v 1.3, hK v 11.1 or hERG, dm Shaker -IR, mGIRK1, mGIRK2 and mIRK1) ( 3 ), histamine receptors (hH1R, hH2R, hH3R and hH4R) ( 4 ) bradykinin receptor (hB2R) ( 5 ), cannabinoid receptor (hCB2R) ( 6 ), Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor member X2 (hMRGPRX2) ( 7 ), transient receptor potential channel (hTRPV1) ( 8 ), muscle-type nAChR (hα1β1γδ) ( 9 ), neuronal-type nAChR (hα7) and ( 10 ) acid-sensing ion channel (rASIC1a). For the heterologous expression in oocytes, the plasmids for each channel/receptor were linearized using appropriate restriction enzymes and were transcribed using the T3, T7, or SP6 mMESSAGE mMACHINE transcription kit (Ambion, Austin, TX, USA).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These caterpillars occur in Latin America from Mexico, Ecuador to Argentina, and are recognized for their large size, bristle and colorful appearance. Contact with their spines result in a painful stinging sensation within seconds of exposure, followed by itching, skin rashes and erythema that may last for days ( 4 ). The needle-shaped spines of the integument are filled with a mixture of bioactive compounds.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Unraveling the venom chemistry with evidence for histamine as key regulator in the envenomation by caterpillar Automeris zaruma

et al. 2022

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Over the past decades, envenomation by caterpillars of Automeris spp. became an increasing health problem in Latin America. Accidental contact with the stinging spines of these caterpillars cause acute local pain, itching, inflammation and skin rashes that persists for days. Even when the cause is obvious, the exact molecular mechanisms responsible for the observed symptoms are yet to be elucidated. Here, we describe for the first time, an active compound in the venom and the study of the bioactivity of the venom extracted from the spines of the caterpillar Automeris zaruma. Electrophysiological screening of a library of membrane proteins important for pain and itch enabled us to investigate and reveal the mode of action of the venom of A. zaruma. Further mass spectrometric analysis (Q-TOF-MS) made it possible to establish a link between the bioactivity and the components found in the venom. We show that the spine extract of A. zaruma contains histamine that potently activates the four types of the human histamine receptors (H1R, H2R, H3R and H4R) with a selectivity preference towards H3R and H4R. Furthermore, a modulation of the target MRGPRX2 was found. Together, these findings are the first to explain the symptomology of A. zaruma envenomation, enabling us a better understanding of caterpillar envenomation and predict that the hurdle of the scarce efficacy of the currently used antihistaminic drugs can be overcome by including H3R and H4R blockers in the clinical used medication. Such an approach might be used for other caterpillar envenomation in the world and represent a significant improvement for the well-being of the patient.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unraveling the venom chemistry with evidence for histamine as key regulator in the envenomation by caterpillar Automeris zaruma

et al. 2022

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“…4 Low concentrations of corticosteroids between 2.5 and 5.0 mg/mL are recommended for intralesional injections to avoid fat atrophy with permanent skin dimpling. 1,4 Complications Chigger bites may be secondarily infected with common skin contaminants.…”

Section: Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…4 Low concentrations of corticosteroids between 2.5 and 5.0 mg/mL are recommended for intralesional injections to avoid fat atrophy with permanent skin dimpling. 1,4…”

Section: Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1 In rare cases, intralesional corticosteroids and excision of bite lesions have provided permanent relief when topical and oral treatments have failed to control itching. 4 Low concentrations of corticosteroids between 2.5 and 5.0 mg/mL are recommended for intralesional injections to avoid fat atrophy with permanent skin dimpling. 1,4 Complications Chigger bites may be secondarily infected with common skin contaminants.…”

Section: Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An Urge to Scratch

Diaz

2023

Wilderness & Environmental Medicine

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A CARE-compliant article: A case report of unusual eschar and extensive soft tissue necrosis in Tsutsugamushi disease

Byeon,

Kim,

Lee

et al. 2023

Medicine

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Rationale: Tsutsugamushi disease is a common infectious disease in the Northern Hemisphere. A patient infected with tsutsugamushi disease will show a characteristic clinical course with eschar formation, which is mostly small and self-limited in nature without causing major problems. We report a rare case of unusually extensive necrosis started from a small eschar. Patient concerns: In this report, a 65-year-old female patient with a history of diabetes mellitus present an 8 × 6 cm-sized huge eschar and extensive soft tissue necrosis aggravated from a small eschar. Also, there were 3 other small eschars in the scalp and left flank area. In early July, she was farming in a field in Hongseong-gun, South Korea. She had been treated at another hospital for 2 weeks. However, the eschar became bigger and worse. Diagnoses: After admission, escharectomy was performed and extensive soft tissue necrosis was identified. Orientia tsutsugamushi antibody tests were positive from blood test. Providencia rettgeri and Enterococcus faecalis were detected in a tissue bacterial culture test. Intervention: While using oral azithromycin and intravenous imipenem/cilastatin, the necrosis of the thigh was excised and covered by lateral femoral circumflex artery based myocutaneous Keystone flap. Outcomes: The remaining small eschars recovered spontaneously, the large eschars that had caused necrosis were successfully treated, and all other clinical symptoms improved without complications. Lessons: For unusual eschar of an unknown cause, especially in patients with uncontrolled diabetes or immunocompromised, the possibility of Tsutsugamushi should be considered. Careful physical examination and proper management should be performed as soon as possible.

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What’s Eating You? Caterpillars

Cited by 4 publications

References 11 publications

Unraveling the venom chemistry with evidence for histamine as key regulator in the envenomation by caterpillar Automeris zaruma

Unraveling the venom chemistry with evidence for histamine as key regulator in the envenomation by caterpillar Automeris zaruma

An Urge to Scratch

A CARE-compliant article: A case report of unusual eschar and extensive soft tissue necrosis in Tsutsugamushi disease

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