Allergy to hematophagous arthropods bites

Allergies to hematophagous arthropod bites are inflammatory reactivity to arthropods salivary components. They vary in intensity and quality dependent upon the arthropod species and the individual immune response to specific proteins of the insect s saliva. Individuals who were not previously exposed show mild localized reactions not beyond those expected by pharmacological substances present in arthropods saliva. Allergic reactions are immunological in their nature and the diversity derived from hypersensitivity reactions with different levels of participation of the immune system components. Some are mainly derived from a humoral immune response, and others are based predominantly on T-lymphocyte-mediated. The majority of these undesired biological answers are self-limited, and few may cause a systemic reaction. This article intends to discuss the immunological ingredients of this evolutionary interaction.

Twin study of adolescent genetic susceptibility to mosquito bites using ordinal and comparative rating data

Ordinal and comparative rating measures of mosquito attraction and mosquito bite frequency and symptoms were administered in a self-report questionnaire format to a sample of 197 monozygotic and 326 dizygotic Australian adolescent twin pairs at age 12 between 1992 and 1999, in order to investigate the environmental and possibly genetic determinants of variation between individuals. Repeat measures were obtained from the twin pairs at age 14. Ordinal variable measures, although providing some support for genetic effects on mosquito susceptibility, were affected by low repeatability. However, analysis of a comparative rating variable compared with your twin, who is bitten by mosquitoes more often? indicated a strong genetic influence on frequency of being bitten by mosquitoes, with no significant differences observed between males and females. Comparative rating questionnaire items are a potentially valuable tool for complementing and improving the results obtained from more conventional absolute measures. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

New Loci Of Lychnophora Ericoides And Transferability To Lychnophora Pinaster, Endangered Medicinal Species From Brazil.

Lychnophora ericoides and Lychnophora pinaster are species used in popular medicine as analgesic or anti-inflammatory agents to treat contusions, rheumatism, and insect bites. In this study, 21 simple sequence repeat loci of L. ericoides were developed and transferred to L. pinaster. Three populations of L. ericoides and 2 populations of L. pinaster were evaluated; they were collected in the State of Minas Gerais. Population parameters were estimated, and the mean values of observed and expected heterozygosity were 0.297 and 0.408 (L. ericoides) and 0.228 and 0.310 (L. pinaster), respectively. Greater genetic variability was observed within populations than between populations of L. ericoides (62 and 37%) and L. pinaster (97 and 2.8%). These results provide information for genetic conservation and taxonomic studies of these endangered species.

HIV/AIDS knowledge among men who have sex with men: applying the item response theory

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the level of HIV/AIDS knowledge among men who have sex with men in Brazil using the latent trait model estimated by Item Response Theory. METHODS Multicenter, cross-sectional study, carried out in ten Brazilian cities between 2008 and 2009. Adult men who have sex with men were recruited (n = 3,746) through Respondent Driven Sampling. HIV/AIDS knowledge was ascertained through ten statements by face-to-face interview and latent scores were obtained through two-parameter logistic modeling (difficulty and discrimination) using Item Response Theory. Differential item functioning was used to examine each item characteristic curve by age and schooling. RESULTS Overall, the HIV/AIDS knowledge scores using Item Response Theory did not exceed 6.0 (scale 0-10), with mean and median values of 5.0 (SD = 0.9) and 5.3, respectively, with 40.7% of the sample with knowledge levels below the average. Some beliefs still exist in this population regarding the transmission of the virus by insect bites, by using public restrooms, and by sharing utensils during meals. With regard to the difficulty and discrimination parameters, eight items were located below the mean of the scale and were considered very easy, and four items presented very low discrimination parameter (< 0.34). The absence of difficult items contributed to the inaccuracy of the measurement of knowledge among those with median level and above. CONCLUSIONS Item Response Theory analysis, which focuses on the individual properties of each item, allows measures to be obtained that do not vary or depend on the questionnaire, which provides better ascertainment and accuracy of knowledge scores. Valid and reliable scales are essential for monitoring HIV/AIDS knowledge among the men who have sex with men population over time and in different geographic regions, and this psychometric model brings this advantage.

Anaphylaxis caused by imported red fire ant stings in Málaga, Spain.

A 27-year-old woman suffered from anaphylaxis after being stung by Solenopsis invicta ants while she was handling wood from South America. The patient reported no previous adverse reactions to stings by other hymenopteran species. Intradermal skin tests with hymenoptera venom (Vespula vulgaris, Polistes species, Apis melifera) were negative. Serum specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E yielded positive results for S invicta (5.28 kU/L) and negative results for A melifera, Ves v 5 and Pol a 5. Immunodetection assays showed the presence of serum IgE against the Sol i 2 allergen. The patient had probably been stung previously although inadvertently by red fire ants while she handled infested wood from South America, and precautionary measures are thus advisable when this material is to be handled. To our knowledge this is the first case of anaphylaxis from red fire ant stings reported in Europe.

Randonnée: conseils utiles aux patients (1re partie) [Hiking and useful advices to patients (part 1)].

The attraction of walking as a pastime has grown enormously in Switzerland over the past few years. Synonym of health and well-being, this activity carries some risks which more and more patients are questioning; answering these questions is not always obvious, so we wanted to tackle the subject. Risks linked to certain animals will be covered. One of these risks is insect stings, particularly wasps and bees. This is a major problem which affects the whole population and more seriously those who are allergic, accounting for around 5% of the population. Another problem: snake bites. In Switzerland, there are about 20-25 bites each year. Poisoning from these can be divided into two categories: local or systemic. The effects are multiple and diverse, ranging from renal failure to discrasia to hypovolemic shock. Pre-hospitalisation measures are of paramount importance in the treatment.

Acidentes por lepidópteros (larvas e adultos de mariposas): estudo dos aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos e terapêuticos

Os autores apresentam e discutem aspectos dos acidentes causados por larvas de lepidópteros (mariposas), enfatizando as manifestações dermatológicas e a dor intensa que caracterizam estes agravos. Além disso, são apresentadas larvas de mariposas que causam manifestações extracutâneas, tais como severos distúrbios de coagulação e artropatias anquilosantes, e ainda dermatites provocadas por insetos adultos. Os principais grupos de lepidópteros causadores de acidentes em humanos são demonstrados, e as medidas terapêuticas atualizadas são discutidas. O lepidopterismo e o erucismo são acidentes comuns, e é importante que o dermatologista saiba reconhecer e tratar esse tipo de envenenamento.

Anti-inflammatory activity of Lychnophora passerina, Asteraceae (Brazilian arnica)

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Lychnophora passerina (Asteraceae), popularly known as arnica, is used to treat inflammation, pain, rheumatism, contusions, bruises and insect bites in Brazilian traditional medicine. Materials and methods: The anti-inflammatory activity of crude ethanolic extract of aerial parts of L. passerina and its ethyl acetate and methanolic fractions had their abilities to modulate the production of NO, TNF-α and IL-10 inflammatory mediators in LPS/IFN-γ-stimulated J774.A1 macrophages evaluated. Moreover, the crude ethanolic extract and derived fractions were also in vivo assayed by carrageenan-induced paw oedema in mice. Results: In vitro assays showed remarkable anti-inflammatory activity of L. passerina crude ethanolic extract (EE) and its ethyl acetate (A) and methanolic (M) fractions, through the inhibition of production of NO and TNF-α inflammatory mediators and induction of production of IL-10 anti-inflammatory cytokine. In vivo assays showed anti-inflammatory activity for EE 10% ointment, similar to the standard drug diclofenac gel. The A and M fraction ointments 20% presented anti-inflammatory activity. Conclusion: The results obtained showed that possible anti-inflammatory effects of EE and its A and M fractions may be attributed to inhibition pro-inflammatory cytokines production, TNF-α and NO and to increased IL-10 production. EE, A and M ointments showed topical in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of EE of L. passerina may be related to synergistic effects of different substances in the crude extract. Therefore, traditional use of aerial parts of L. passerina in the inflammatory conditions could be beneficial to treat topical inflammatory conditions, as evidenced by the present study. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Inoculation of salivary gland extracts obtained from female of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari, Ixodidae) with 2, 4, and 6 days of feeding in rabbit: I - Histopathology of the feeding lesion

This study analyzed the histopathology of rabbit skin, previously immunized with SGE2, SGE4, and SGE6 gland extracts prepared from salivary glands of Rhipicephalus sanguineus female with 2, 4, and 6 days of feeding, at the region of the R. sanguineus female feeding lesion 2, 4, and 6 days after tick attachment. In this work, infestation-naïve New Zealand White rabbits were inoculated either with the extracts (test group (TG)) or with phosphate buffer and complete Freund's adjuvant mixture (control group 2 (CG2)). Each extract-inoculated- (TG and CG2) and non-inoculated (CG1) rabbit was subsequently infested with R. sanguineus. Skin biopsies were collected from the rabbit at the tick feeding lesion at 2, 4, and 6 days of feeding. Results revealed that rabbit immunization with gland extracts induced acquisition of resistance against this species. It should be stated that the SGE4 extract was the most effective in developing an immune-inflammatory response against ectoparasites, being this process characterized by the presence of an early and intense inflammatory cell infiltrate. On the other hand, SGE6 extract caused a later appearance of resistance with less infiltrate occurrence and intense edema at the feeding lesion site. As to the inflammatory process deriving from SGE2 extract inoculation, it was the less intense. It was concluded that immunization with different extracts from R. sanguineus female salivary glands did not change microscope features of the inflammatory process, although an earlier or more intense and later response, which was also dependent on the inoculate extract, was noticed. © 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Caracterização de organossulfurados em diferentes cultivares de alho (Allium sativum L.) e cebola (Allium cepa L.)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Dermatite alérgica à picada de insetos em ovinos no estado do Pará

Foi estudada uma doença em 159 ovinos em 15 propriedades localizadas em sete municípios das mesorregiões nordeste e sudeste do estado do Pará e uma em um município do estado de Roraima. Os ovinos da raça Santa Inês e seus mestiços, de ambos os sexos e com dois a quatro anos de idade, eram os mais acometidos. A doença caracterizava-se por alopecia em diversas regiões do corpo, principalmente ao redor dos olhos; essas lesões evoluíam para eritemas multifocais, pequenas pápulas e crostas. Os animais apresentavam prurido intenso no local das lesões, inquietação, perda de peso e corrimento ocular. Sempre era observada a presença de mosquitos ao redor dos animais. Com o auxílio de um puçá foi realizada a captura de insetos associados às lesões, durante o repasto nos ovinos, para a identificação. Foram identificados insetos dos gêneros Simulium e Hippelates. Realizou-se biópsia da pele lesada de 10 ovinos. As lesões histológicas se caracterizaram por leves infiltrados inflamatórios mononucleares na derme, com presença de eosinófilos. Os estudos epidemiológicos, clínicos e patológicos desses casos, bem como o descarte dos diagnósticos diferenciais, permitiram concluir que se trata de dermatite alérgica por picada de insetos.

New loci of Lychnophora ericoides and transferability to Lychnophora pinaster, endangered medicinal species from Brazil

Lychnophora ericoides and Lychnophora pinaster are species used in popular medicine as analgesic or anti-inflammatory agents to treat contusions, rheumatism, and insect bites. In this study, 21 simple sequence repeat loci of L. ericoides were developed and transferred to L. pinaster. Three populations of L. ericoides and 2 populations of L. pinaster were evaluated; they were collected in the State of Minas Gerais. Population parameters were estimated, and the mean values of observed and expected heterozygosity were 0.297 and 0.408 (L. ericoides) and 0.228 and 0.310 (L. pinaster), respectively. Greater genetic variability was observed within populations than between populations of L. ericoides (62 and 37%) and L. pinaster (97 and 2.8%). These results provide information for genetic conservation and taxonomic studies of these endangered species.

Cutting Edge: Brazilian Pemphigus Foliaceus Anti-Desmoglein 1 Autoantibodies Cross-React with Sand Fly Salivary LJM11 Antigen

The environmental factors that contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases are largely unknown. Endemic pemphigus foliaceus in humans, known as Fogo Selvagem (FS) in Brazil, is mediated by pathogenic IgG4 autoantibodies against desmoglein 1 (Dsg1). Clusters of FS overlap with those of leishmaniasis, a disease transmitted by sand fly (Lutzomyia longipalpis) bites. In this study, we show that salivary Ags from the sand fly, and specifically the LJM11 salivary protein, are recognized by FS Abs. Anti-Dsg1 monoclonal autoantibodies derived from FS patients also cross-react with LJM11. Mice immunized with LJM11 generate anti-Dsg1 Abs. Thus, insect bites may deliver salivary Ags that initiate a cross-reactive IgG4 Ab response in genetically susceptible individuals and lead to subsequent FS. Our findings establish a clear relationship between an environmental, noninfectious Ag and the development of potentially pathogenic autoantibodies in an autoimmune disease. The Journal of Immunology, 2012, 189: 1535-1539.

CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells expressing FoxP3 in Icelandic horses affected with insect bite hypersensitivity

Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is an IgE-mediated dermatitis caused by bites of midges from the genus Culicoides. We have shown previously that peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from IBH-affected horses produce higher levels of IL-4 and lower levels of IL-10 and TGF-beta1 than those from healthy horses, suggesting that IBH is associated with a reduced regulatory immune response. FoxP3 is a crucial marker of regulatory T cells (Tregs). Here we have determined the proportion of CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) T cells by flow cytometry in PBMC directly after isolation or after stimulation with Culicoides extract or a control antigen (Tetanus Toxoid). There were no differences between healthy and IBH horses either in the proportion of FoxP3(+)CD4(+)CD25(+) cells in freshly isolated PBMC or in the following stimulation with Tetanus Toxoid. However, upon stimulation of PBMC with the allergen, expression of FoxP3 by CD4(+)CD25(+high) and CD4(+)CD25(+dim) cells was significantly higher in healthy than in IBH horses. Addition of recombinant IL-4 to PBMC from healthy horses stimulated with the allergen significantly decreased the proportion of FoxP3 expressing cells within CD4(+)CD25(+high). These results suggest that IBH is associated with a decreased number of allergen-induced Tregs. This could be a consequence of the increased IL-4 production by PBMC of IBH-affected horses.