Allergic Reactions to Arthropods

Abstract

Allergic reactions to arthropods are some of the most important factors involved in the development of asthma and the precipitation of attacks. Although sensitization to arthropods occurs most frequently in atopic individuals, continual exposure induces parallel sensitivities in a high percentage of non-atopics. The allergens involved are numerous, and although there is a degree of cross-reactivity most arthropod groups exhibit specific allergens that may be of somatic or excremental origin. Prevention is largely dependent upon allergen avoidance measures.

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.…”

“…Megatominae are also one of the arthropod groups most commonly recorded inside houses (Gamarra, Outerelo & Hernández, 2009;Bertone et al, 2016;Madden et al, 2016); the larvae persist in these environments for months, even for years, feeding on food (Gorham, 1979;Gorham, 1989;Hirao, 2000), pet food (Rudolph et al, 1981), dust, insect remains and clothes, especially wool fabric (Bouchet, Lavaud & Deschamps, 1996). 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).…”

“…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.…”

Peer Review #1 of "Occurrence, ecological function and medical importance of dermestid beetle hastisetae (v0.2)"

“…These species became serious pests, causing considerable loss and damage to stored goods of both animal and plant origin (Hinton, 1945;Burges, 1959;Kantack and Staples, 1969;Mroczkowski, 1975;Beal, 1991;Veer et al, 1991a, b;Veer and Rao, 1995;Veer et al, 1996;Imura, 2003;Rajendran and Hajira Parveen, 2003;Lawrence and Slipinski, 2010) and to objects of organic origin in museums of cultural and natural history (Jurecka, 1987;Zaitseva, 1987;Armes, 1988;Bousquet, 1990, Pinniger andHarmon, 1999;Stengaard Hansen et al, 2012;Quarner, 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;Burgess, 1993) and can contribute as allergens in humans (Wiseman et al, 1959;Johansson et al, 1985;Baldo and Panzani, 1988;Burgess, 1993;Gorgojo et al, 2015;McArthur et al, 2016) Manuscript to be reviewed 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.…”

Categories of Adverse Health Effects from Indoor Air Pollution

“…There is bron chial hyper-reactivity in asthma, and a consistent eleva tion in serum IgE levels [130]. Common allergens include skin fragments from house dust mites and other arthro pods [83,84,131]; animal dander, from pets or laboratory animals in an industrial context [82,132]; and fungi and moulds [88], particularly those found inside buildings [133], such as pénicillium [89,134].…”