The Gypsy Moth Caterpillar: A Significant New Occupational and Public Health Problem

Occupational immunologic contact urticaria from pine processionary caterpillar (Thaumetopoea pityocampa): experience in 30 cases

“…Such occupational reactions to the caterpillars have been described from various species (3)(4)(5)(6)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15). We present an analysis of a series of 30 patients who suffered from occupational immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated contact urticaria from TP.…”

Caterpillars and moths

“…86 Scratch testing with gypsy moth caterpillars, cast caterpillar skins, and egg mass hairs caused wheal-and-flare reactions in 15 or 17 US Department of Agriculture Forest Service personnel who had been working with gypsy moths. 92 Prick testing with Douglas-fir tussock moth (O pseudotsugata) larvae, cocoons, shed larval hairs, adults, and egg masses showed a wheal and flare reaction in all participants who had previously reported reactions to caterpillar exposure. 93 Prick testing with extracts from processionary caterpillars (genus Thaumetopoea), which are known to cause urticarial reactions, cause significantly higher rates of positive testing in individuals with previous exposure to caterpillars when compared to those without contact.…”

The risky business of being an entomologist: A systematic review

“…Allergy: Chironomus thummi thummi hemoglobins (Diptera) Symptoms: Itching, wheal and flare, conjunctival irritation, cough, sneezing, rhinorhea, shortness of breath and wheezing Etkind et al (1982) 1980s USA Laboratory: researchers working with Lymantria dispar dispar (Lepidoptera) Allergy: Lymantria dispar dispar cast larval skins, whole larvae and egg mass hairs (Lepidoptera) Symptoms: Rhinitis, dyspnoea, tearing eyes, wheals and flares, rashes, itching of eyes, papular lesions, and chest tightness Bernstein et al (1983) 1980s USA Bait company: Rearing Tenibrio molitor larvae (Coleoptera) Allergy: Tenibrio molitor exoskeletons (Coleoptera) Symptoms: Wheezing, ocular itching, dyspnoea, rhinorrhea, lacrimation, asthma, rhinitis, and urticaria Ilkal et al (1984) 1980s India Laboratory: working with Aedes aegypti (Diptera) which had been inoculated with serum from a patient with Dengue Dengue infection following a bite from Aedes aegypti inoculated with serum from a patient with Dengue (Diptera) Symptoms: fever chills, body ache, joint pains, and headache Tee et al (1985) 1980s UK Insectary: scientific worker rearing Musca domestica (Diptera) Allergy: Musca domestica fly dust (Diptera) Symptoms: eye irritation, sneezing, and nasal discharge Kaufman et al (1986) 1980s Spieksma et al (1986) 1980s Netherlands Laboratory: working with Drosophilia melanogaster (Diptera) Allergy: Drosophilia melanogaster (Diptera) Symptoms: cough, wheezing, stuffy nose, dyspnoea, and itchy eyes Steinberg et al (1987) 1980s USA Laboratory: work with Blatella germanica and Periplaneta americana (Blattodea)…”