Skin reactions to bug bites as a result of xenodiagnosis

Abstract

Cutaneous allergic reactions to bites of two bug species Triatoma infestans and Dipetalogaster maxima, were studied in an area where T. infestans is the local domestic vector. While more delayed skin reactions occurred with the indigenous vector, reactions also occurred with D. maxima. Repeated exposure to D. maxima produced more intense immediate skin reactions. First-stage D. maxima bugs produced a lower frequency and intensity of skin reaction. It is concluded that further work on this problem is necessary as it prejudices the use of xenodiagnosis in field surveys.

Arthropods in dermatology

“…In these instances, the victim awakens with the sudden onset of anaphylactic signs and symptoms. [336][337][338][339] …”

“…Kissing bugs earned their name for their predilection to bite on or near the lips. [333][334][335][336][337][338][339] Using their specialized probosci, kissing bugs take a blood meal, then characteristically turn around and defecate immediately after feeding. The trypanosomes are inoculated when the victim subsequently scratches the infected feces into the wound.…”

Insect Bite Reactions: An Update

“…Bites have been associated with papular, urticarial and bullous reactions (fig. 2) [42, 43], rarely hemorrhagic, and generalized and acute allergic reactions [44, 45, 46, 47]. In endemic areas, the periocular swelling associated with a bite is known as Romana’s sign [48].…”

“…The most troublesome and numerous Triatoma are found predominantly in Texas, California, Arizona and New Mexico. They earned their name for their predilection to bite on or near the lips [42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47], but any area of the body not covered by close-fitting clothes is susceptible [48]. The painless bite occurs only while the host is sleeping, since the blood meal takes 10 or more minutes to complete and can be performed without waking their sleeping victims [42, 48].…”

Desenvolvimento de Rhodnius pictipes Stal, 1872 alimentado através de membrana de silicone e em camundongos (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae)

“…Este método foi também utilizado como isca em medidas de controle, conforme demonstrado por Lima et al (1991Lima et al ( , 1992 e Lima (1994); para manutenção de colônias em laboratório (Garcia et al 1975), além da utilização no xenodiagnóstico artificial. Neste último caso torna-se ainda mais indicado, já que podem ocorrer casos de reações alérgicas cutâneas às picadas desses insetos (Mott et al 1980, Costa et al 1981.…”