Venomous caterpillars: From inoculation apparatus to venom composition and envenomation

Villas-Boas, Isadora Maria; Bonfá, Giuliano; Tambourgi, Denise V.

doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.08.007

Cited by 20 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 108 publications

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“…Both genetic and pharmacological assays indicate that TRPV1 serves as one of the primary nociceptors in caterpillar-induced pain. Unlike the venom of hymenopterans [19,20], which also elicits pain to deter potential predators, we failed to identify pore-forming toxins in the venom of L. consocia. This observation suggests that divergent evolution occurred in venomous insects, which makes venoms from insects vast and the main unexplored source of new animal toxins.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

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The Latoia consocia Caterpillar Induces Pain by Targeting Nociceptive Ion Channel TRPV1

Yao

Kamau

Han

et al. 2019

Toxins

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Accidental contact with caterpillar bristles causes local symptoms such as severe pain, intense heat, edema, erythema, and pruritus. However, there is little functional evidence to indicate a potential mechanism. In this study, we analyzed the biological characteristics of the crude venom from the larval stage of Latoia consocia living in South-West China. Intraplantar injection of the venom into the hind paws of mice induced severe acute pain behaviors in wild type (WT) mice; the responses were much reduced in TRPV1-deficit (TRPV1 KO) mice. The TRPV1-specific inhibitor, capsazepine, significantly attenuated the pain behaviors. Furthermore, the crude venom evoked strong calcium signals in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons of WT mice but not those of TRPV1 KO mice. Among the pain-related ion channels we tested, the crude venom only activated the TRPV1 channel. To better understand the venom components, we analyzed the transcriptome of the L. consocia sebaceous gland region. Our study suggests that TRPV1 serves as a primary nociceptor in caterpillar-induced pain and forms the foundation for elucidating the pain-producing mechanism.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

“…Caterpillars are widely distributed across the globe. Their venoms comprise of multifunctional peptide toxins as a kind of high-efficiency defense equipment [5,19]. Envenomation by caterpillars is known to produce pain, however, the mechanism involved in pain induction is still elusive.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Latoia consocia Caterpillar Induces Pain by Targeting Nociceptive Ion Channel TRPV1

Yao

Kamau

Han

et al. 2019

Toxins

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“…The Hickory tussock moth caterpillar has a characteristic row of black tufts that are responsible for the caterpillar's toxicity along with white hairs along its side. Envenomization occurs when the recipient presses their hairs that release toxins such as proteolytic enzymes, histamine and other pro inflammatory substances [5]. The Io moth caterpillar (Automeris io) has a pale yellow to green color with red true legs and prolegs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…4 Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology -Head and Neck Surgery, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. 5 Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology -Head and Neck Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.…”

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confidence: 99%

A prickly situation: An attempted Caterpillar ingestion - case report

Bhardwaj

Fnais

Chin

2020

Journal of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery

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Background Foreign body ingestion is a common problem in pediatrics. Each foreign body can present its’ own unique challenges during removal, and we present the management of an ingested Spotted Tussock Moth (Lophocampa maculata), more commonly known as a caterpillar. Case presentation An 18-month-old boy presented to the emergency department with difficulty handling secretions and odynophagia. It was reported he had placed a caterpillar in his mouth and then spat it out. On examination, hundreds of miniscule filaments (setae) were seen embedded in his lips and tongue. Our service was consulted out of concern for airway involvement. The patient was taken to the operating room where a direct laryngoscopy under general anesthesia with spontaneous ventilation was performed to confirm the setae were confined to the anterior tongue and lips. Once we were satisfied the airway was stable, the airway was secured, and we then began to remove the setae. The initial method used was to use Adson-Brown forceps to remove the setae, however this proved difficult and time-consuming given the volume of setae and how thin the setae were. Ultimately, a more effective technique was developed: a 4 × 4 AMD-RITMES® gauze was applied to the mucosa in order to dry up any secretions and then a piece of pink, waterproof BSN medical® tape was applied to the mucosa. After 3 s of contact it was removed. This technique was then repeated and was used to remove the vast majority of the setae. Conclusion To our knowledge, we have described the first technique to remove the caterpillar setae from the oral cavity mucosa in a fast, safe and efficient manner.

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“…Venomous properties have been identified in 12 of these families, posing a serious threat to human health. 1 The clinical manifestations from Lepidoptera envenomation can range from general systemic symptoms such as fever and abdominal distress; to more complex focal affections including hemorrhage, ophthalmologic lesions, and irritation of the respiratory tracts; to less severe reactions of the skin, which are the most common presentation. 1…”

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confidence: 99%

What’s Eating You? Megalopyge opercularis

Severs¹,

Elston²

2020

Cutis

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Caterpillars-the larval form of butterflies and moths-belong to the order Lepidoptera. Some identified caterpillars from this order have developed venomous defense mechanisms such as irritating hairs and spines to protect themselves from predators. Direct contact to allergenic caterpillars' hairs can cause human disease. Cutaneous lesions following caterpillar envenomation can range from mild localized inflammatory signs and pain to a worsening appearance of vesicles, bullae, erosions, petechiae, necrosis, and ulceration. This review addresses the varied general manifestations caused by venomous lepidopteran exposure with special focus on the adverse cutaneous manifestations and therapeutic options of Megalopyge opercularis, the caterpillar of the flannel moth.

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Venomous caterpillars: From inoculation apparatus to venom composition and envenomation

Cited by 20 publications

References 108 publications

The Latoia consocia Caterpillar Induces Pain by Targeting Nociceptive Ion Channel TRPV1

The Latoia consocia Caterpillar Induces Pain by Targeting Nociceptive Ion Channel TRPV1

A prickly situation: An attempted Caterpillar ingestion - case report

What’s Eating You? Megalopyge opercularis

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