Λεξικό .. Chironomidae

Chironomidae

A family of the suborder Nematocera, order Diptera,  that comprises true, nonbiting midges. Chironomids are insects which inhabit wetlands. In countries such as Sudan, The United States. Egypt and Japan they are the cause of serious environmental allergy. In Europe, and particularly in Spain, allergy to Chironomids is infrequent and has only been described in patients who handle Chironomid larvae which form part of certain fish foods. The larvae grow in lakes or rivers all over the world.

Chironomidae might be allergens of clinical importance inducing asthma and rhinitis, Rhinoconjunctivitis, rash, dyspnea, and dysphagia after handling fish food in sensitized individuals[1]. In Sweden,  cross-allergy exist between chirnomids and shrimp and that cross-allergy also might occur among chironomids, crustaceans and molluscs. The chironomid extract for skin prick testing is produced from "red feather mosquito larvae"used as fish food)[2].

References

1. Yamashita N, Morita Y, Ito K, Miyamoto T, Shibuya T, Kamei K, Sasa M. Chironomidae as a cause of IgE-mediated histamine release in patients with asthma. Ann Allergy. 1989 Aug;63(2):154-8.

2. Eriksson NE, Ryden B, Jonsson P. Hypersensitivity to larvae of chironomids (non-biting midges). Cross-sensitization with crustaceans. Allergy. 1989 Jul;44(5):305-13.