Insect allergy as a possible cause of inhalant sensitivity

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).…”

Treatment with a neem seed extract (MiteStop®) of beetle larvae parasitizing the plumage of poultry

“…Furthermore, these beetles may become intermediate hosts of parasites when bearing the larvae, cysticercoids of numerous tapeworms (Mehlhorn 2008;Eckert et al 2008). In addition, the feces and the larval exuvial remnants may introduce severe allergic reactions in the breathing system of humans and animals (Wiseman et al 1959;Wittich 1940;Sheldon and Johnston 1941;Klaschka and Jung 1976). Thus control of such part-time parasites and/or food pests is highly desirable, since otherwise the economic win will disappear due to reduction of the egg-laying rate, slow body growth, or due to death as consequence of superinfections of wounds respectively due to transmission of agents of diseases.…”

Does occupational exposure to insects lead to species‐specific sensitization?

“…Insect and insect‐derived materials have been implicated as a risk factor for sensitization and subsequent elicitation of allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma (1–5). In the early 1930, the role of insects in allergy was mainly investigated in a series of isolated cases in which the inhalant allergen was related to insects present in outdoor environments or workplaces.…”