Dictionary of Allergies .. Caterpillar allergy

Caterpillars are larvae (the "worm" forms) of insects in the order Lepidoptera­­the butterflies, skippers, and moths. In number of species known, Lepidoptera is the second largest of all insect orders. Consequently, caterpillars are numerous; more than 11,000 species occur in North America, with over 5,000 species in the eastern United States alone. Most caterpillars are plant feeders. They occur on a wide variety of plants, and many are serious pests. Caterpillars are among the most common of all insect forms found on foliage of forest, shade, and ornamental trees. Lepidoptera (moths, butterflies, and caterpillars) are an uncommon cause of adverse reactions in humans. Most reactions to Lepidoptera are mild and self-limited; however, reactions in sensitive individuals and reactions to particular species can be severe and life threatening (Hossler EW., 2009).

Many caterpillars are harmful to humans and animals and they have even been considered as an occupational health problem. Some of them are able to induce systemic toxic symptoms, but in most cases the exposed patients present  contact dermatitis, angioedema, conjunctivitis, and severe anaphylaxis (Vega et al, 2000). Poisonous hairs of chitinous spines have been thought to be responsible for the production of these local lesions by a toxic and irritant mechanism . Thaumetopoein, a protein with histamine-releasing properties has been described as an important inducer of skin lesions. This protein has a direct non-IgE mediated mechanism of action (Lamy  et al, 1986). A similar protein showing immunological cross-reactivity has been found in the urticating hairs of the oak processionary caterpillar (Thaumetopoea processionea), which explains the urticating properties of this caterpillar (Lamy et al, 1988).

However, the fact that some subjects present violent reactions (Vega et al, 2000), such as anaphylaxis (14%), after contact with pine caterpillars led to the discovery of an IgE-mediated mechanism. The presence of specific IgE directed to a 18 000 Da allergen, as well as to a protein with a molecular weight over 45000 was described (Werno et al, 1993). A severe anaphylactic shock was also reported after contact with pine caterpillars (Vega et al. 1997) as well as with oak processionary caterpillars (Boosma et al, 1998). The clinical description of allergy to the pine processionary caterpillar and IgE-immunoblot patterns of several sensitized patients have been recently reported by us (Vega et al, 1999).

References

Boosma AH, Jans HW. A severe anaphylactic shock caused by spraying the oak processionary caterpillar (Thaumetopoea processionaea) in North Brabant. Ned Tjdschr Geneeskd 1998;142: 1567-1569.
Vega JM, Moneo I, Armentia A, Fernández A, Vega J, de la Fuente R et al. Allergy to the pine processionary caterpillar (Thaumetopoea pityocampa). Clin Exp Allergy 1999;29: 1418-1423.

Cauliflower [(L) Brassica oleracea var. botrytis]: Cauliflower is a variety of cabbage originating from Mediterranean area.  R91 is the symbol of Cauliflower in RAST.  (See Cabbage).

Hossler EW. Caterpillars and moths. Dermatol Ther. 2009 Jul-Aug;22(4):353-66.

Lamy M, Novak F, Duboscq MF, Ducombs G, Malville J. La chenille processionaire du chène (Thaumetopoea processionea) et l'homme: appareil urticant et mode d'action. Ann Dermatol Venerol 1988;115: 1023-1032.

Lamy M, Pastureaud MH, Novak F, Ducombs G, Vincendau P, Maleville J et al. Thaumetopoein: an urticating protein from the hairs and integuments of the pine processionary caterpillar (Thaumetopoea pityocampa Schiff, Lepidoptera, Thaumetopoidae). Toxicon 1986;24: 347-356.

Vega JM, Moneo I, Armentia A, Vega J, De la Fuente R, Fernandez A. Pine processionary caterpillar as a new cause of immunologic contact urticaria. Contact Dermatitis 2000 Sep;43(3):129-132

Werno J, Lamy M, Vincendau P. Caterpillar hairs as allergens. Lancet 1993;342: 936-937.
Vega JM, Moneo I, Armentia A, Lopez-Rico R, Curiel G, Bartolome B et al. Anaphylaxis to a pine caterpillar. Allergy 1997;52: 1244-1245.

Cavia porcellus: See Guinea pig