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Cutaneous lepidopterism: dermatitis from contact with moths of Hylesia metabus (Cramer 1775) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), the causative agent of caripito itch
Author(s) -
PanizMondolfi Alberto E.,
PérezAlvarez Alexandra M.,
Lundberg Ulf,
Fornés Lizette,
ReyesJaimes Oscar,
HernándezPérez Marier,
Hossler Eric
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2010.04683.x
Subject(s) - saturniidae , medicine , mucocutaneous zone , dermatology , outbreak , contact dermatitis , irritation , disease , lepidoptera genitalia , allergy , immunology , pathology , biology , ecology
Background Lepidopterism derived from contact with arthropods and/or their products can result in adverse reactions that vary in severity from mild irritation to severe reactions including anaphylactic shock and death. Lepidopterism includes cutaneous and/or mucosal manifestations, systemic symptoms, or both mucocutaneous and systemic manifestations. Objective Epidemic outbreaks of dermatitis due to Hylesia sp. have been recorded in several countries of Latin America. The impact of climatic changes occurring presently on migrational and reproductive cycles of Hylesia metabus is also discussed in this study. Materials and methods In Venezuela, swarms of migrating H. metabus moths are historically recognized as the causative agents of “Caripito itch,” a disease that has become an important public health problem. Results: In this review, we present a series of four case reports reflecting the wide clinical pleomorphism exhibited in lepidopterism by H. metabus . Conclusion Although dermatitis caused by these moths is usually resistant to all therapeutic treatment, individualization of therapy based on symptoms led to successful treatment in all four cases.