EAACIposition paper: Comparing insect hypersensitivity induced by bite, sting, inhalation or ingestion in human beings and animals

Abstract

Adverse reactions to insects occur in both human and veterinary patients. Systematic comparison may lead to improved recommendations for prevention and treatment in all species. In this position paper, we summarize the current knowledge on insect allergy induced via stings, bites, inhalation or ingestion, and compare reactions in companion animals to those in people. With few exceptions, the situation in human insect allergy is better documented than in animals. We focus on a review of recent literature and give overviews of the epidemiology and clinical signs.We discuss allergen sources and allergenic molecules to the extent described, and aspects of diagnosis, prophylaxis, management and therapy. K E Y W O R D S allergenic molecules in insects, comparative, insect bite hypersensitivity, insect food allergy, insect venom allergy Abbreviations: BAT, basophil activation test; CCD, cross-reactive carbohydrate determinant; CRD, component-resolved diagnosis; DBPCFC, double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge; FBH, flea bite hypersensitivity; HDM, house dust mite; IBH, insect bite hypersensitivity; IGR, insect growth regulator; LLR, large local reaction; MBH, mosquito bite hypersensitivity; RAST, radioallergosorbent test; VIT, venom immunotherapy.

Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti mosquito bite hypersensitivity in a dog: a case report

“…The present report describes the clinical evolution of the acute local hypersensitivity reaction and provides new information regarding clinical signs in a dog after experimental exposure to mosquito bites. In comparison, the most common symptoms observed in cats manifesting cutaneous reactivity to mosquito bites are erythematous papules on the ear pinnae, and ulcerative and crusted dermatitis of the face, ears, and paws [6,7].…”

Who Bites Me? A Tentative Discriminative Key to Diagnose Hematophagous Ectoparasites Biting Using Clinical Manifestations

“…The latter is characterized by an acute pruritus, eczema or hypersensitivity. In the case of repeated biting, people may become desensitized, expressing a mild or no reaction [15].…”

“…Clinical manifestation: At least 10% to 30% of the people who are bitten do not develop any reactions [15]. Nevertheless, the bed bugs bites can cause a wide spectrum of dermatological manifestations that at least in part, depend on the individual's immune response.…”

Insect bites

“…People have different predispositions to such bites, with a variety of inflammatory and allergic responses. Reactions are either immediate wheal-and-flare reactions, mediated by specific IgE antibodies, or more delayed reactions characterised by pruritis, indurated papules, papular urticaria, or blistering 10. Reactions can vary from single, small, red reactions to multiple or large areas of erythema.…”