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Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical... Oct 2019To update the influence of the global climate change on Hymenoptera venom allergy. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
To update the influence of the global climate change on Hymenoptera venom allergy.
RECENT FINDINGS
Climate change facilitates biological invasions of hymenopteran species and plays a role in the impact of introduced species relevant for human health. It contributes to a rise in the incidence of sting injuries and allergy reactions across the world.
SUMMARY
Global climate change has contributed to the expansion and the redistribution of allergenic insect species, increasing the number of allergy cases caused by stinging insects worldwide. Imported insects are trending species in systemic reactions for multiple stings or hymenopteran venom allergy. They represent a threat for humans and a challenge for the allergists.
Topics: Animals; Arthropod Venoms; Climate Change; Humans; Hymenoptera; Hypersensitivity; Insect Bites and Stings
PubMed: 31259746
DOI: 10.1097/ACI.0000000000000565 -
Biopolymers 2012Arthropods are the most diverse animal group on the planet, and occupy almost all ecological niches. Venomous arthropods are a rich source of bioactive compounds evolved... (Review)
Review
Arthropods are the most diverse animal group on the planet, and occupy almost all ecological niches. Venomous arthropods are a rich source of bioactive compounds evolved for prey capture and defense against predators and/or microorganisms. These highly potent chemical arsenals represent an available source for new insecticidal compounds as they act selectively on their molecular targets. These toxins affect the invertebrate nervous system and, until the moment, several insecticidal compounds belonging to the class of peptides or polyamine-like compounds have been purified and characterized from the venom of arachnids and hymenopterans. This review focuses on invertebrate-specific peptide neurotoxins that have been isolated from the venom ofspiders, scorpions, centipedes, ants, and wasps, discussing their potential in pest control and as invaluable tools in neuropharmacology.
Topics: Animals; Arthropod Venoms; Insecticides; Nervous System; Neuropeptides
PubMed: 23193602
DOI: 10.1002/bip.22100 -
International Archives of Allergy and... Apr 2001According to most textbooks, diagnostic tests with Hymenoptera venoms are reliable, and immunotherapy with these venoms in Hymenoptera-venom-allergic patients leads in... (Review)
Review
According to most textbooks, diagnostic tests with Hymenoptera venoms are reliable, and immunotherapy with these venoms in Hymenoptera-venom-allergic patients leads in near to 100% to full protection. Careful analysis of the literature shows however that the specificity of diagnostic tests is far from perfect and that both efficacy and tolerance, especially in patients receiving honeybee venom immunotherapy, are still suboptimal. The major allergens of honeybee and vespid venoms are now available in recombinant form. Preliminary trials analyzing diagnostic tests with recombinant allergens in honeybee venom allergy are promising: the specificity is clearly increased in both skin testing and in determining venom-specific IgE antibodies when compared to natural venom allergens. An important recent finding is the frequent association of severe Hymenoptera venom allergy and elevated basal serum levels of the mast-cell-specific enzyme tryptase. Elevated levels are found in up to 30% of the patients with a history of severe shock reactions following Hymenoptera stings. The current findings indicate that basal tryptase levels indicating an increased mast cell load are much more frequent than previously thought and are a risk factor for severe or even fatal sting reactions. Premedication with antihistamines in the initial phase of venom immunotherapy reduced both local and systemic allergic side effects in several controlled studies. In a retrospective analysis of one of these trials it was found that reexposure during immunotherapy resulted in significantly more systemic allergic reactions in patients on placebo than on antihistamine premedication, suggesting that initial antihistamine premedication might increase the efficacy of venom immunotherapy. Different ways of allergen modification for venom immunotherapy have been proposed. While the results with chemical modifications were not convincing, recent studies with T-cell epitope peptides from the major bee venom allergen phospholipase A(2) look promising. Patient-tailored cocktails of recombinant venom allergens or isoforms thereof may be another possibility in the future. A number of prospective studies analyzing the duration of venom immunotherapy required for long-term protection have been published in the last decade. While most patients are still fully protected 1 year after discontinuation of therapy, relapses may occur in up to 20% of patients reexposed many years after treatment. Various risk factors for such relapses have been identified.
Topics: Allergens; Animals; Arthropod Venoms; Bee Venoms; Desensitization, Immunologic; Histamine H1 Antagonists; Humans; Hymenoptera; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Mastocytosis; Recombinant Proteins; Wasp Venoms
PubMed: 11340327
DOI: 10.1159/000053779 -
International Archives of Allergy and... Oct 2000Bees, fire ants and vespids cause insect sting allergy. These insects have unique as well as common venom allergens. Vespids, including hornets, paper wasps and yellow... (Review)
Review
Bees, fire ants and vespids cause insect sting allergy. These insects have unique as well as common venom allergens. Vespids, including hornets, paper wasps and yellow jackets, have common allergens. Bees and vespids have one common allergen with hyaluronidase activity; they also have unique allergens with different phospholipase activities. Fire ants and vespids have one common allergen, antigen 5 of unknown biologic activity. The common venom allergens with < 70% sequence identity have barely detectable levels of antigenic cross-reactivity. Possible uses of modified allergens for immunotherapy are described.
Topics: Allergens; Animals; Ant Venoms; Arthropod Venoms; B-Lymphocytes; Bee Venoms; Cross Reactions; Epitopes; Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; Hymenoptera; Immunotherapy; Insect Bites and Stings; Phospholipases; T-Lymphocytes; Wasp Venoms
PubMed: 11060481
DOI: 10.1159/000024440 -
Current Allergy and Asthma Reports Jan 2016Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) can be diagnosed in patients with recurrent, severe symptoms from mast cell (MC)-derived mediators, which are transiently increased... (Review)
Review
Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) can be diagnosed in patients with recurrent, severe symptoms from mast cell (MC)-derived mediators, which are transiently increased in serum and are attenuated by mediator-targeting drugs. When KIT-mutated, clonal MC are detected in these patients, a diagnosis of primary MCAS can be made. Severe systemic reactions to hymenoptera venom (HV) represent the most common form of anaphylaxis in patients with mastocytosis. Patients with primary MCAS and HV anaphylaxis are predominantly males and do not have skin lesions in the majority of cases, and anaphylaxis is characterized by hypotension and syncope in the absence of urticaria and angioedema. A normal value of tryptase (≤11.4 ng/ml) in these patients does not exclude a diagnosis of mastocytosis. Patients with primary MCAS and HV anaphylaxis have to undergo lifelong venom immunotherapy, in order to prevent further potentially fatal severe reactions.
Topics: Allergens; Anaphylaxis; Animals; Arthropod Venoms; Female; Humans; Hymenoptera; Male; Mast Cells; Mastocytosis; Syndrome; Tryptases
PubMed: 26714690
DOI: 10.1007/s11882-015-0582-5 -
Current Allergy and Asthma Reports Jun 2020In Hymenoptera venom allergy, the research focus has moved from whole venoms to individual allergenic molecules. Api m 10 (icarapin) has been described as a major... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
In Hymenoptera venom allergy, the research focus has moved from whole venoms to individual allergenic molecules. Api m 10 (icarapin) has been described as a major allergen of honeybee venom (HBV) with potentially high relevance for diagnostics and therapy of venom allergy. Here, we review recent studies on Api m 10 characteristics as well as its role in component-resolved diagnostics and potential implications for venom-specific immunotherapy (VIT).
RECENT FINDINGS
Api m 10 is a major allergen of low abundance in HBV. It is an obviously unstable protein of unknown function that exhibits homologs in other insect species. Despite its low abundance in HBV, 35 to 72% of HBV-allergic patients show relevant sensitization to this allergen. Api m 10 is a marker allergen for HBV sensitization, which in many cases can help to identify primary sensitization to HBV and, hence, to discriminate between genuine sensitization and cross-reactivity. Moreover, Api m 10 might support personalized risk stratification in VIT, as dominant sensitization to Api m 10 has been identified as risk factor for treatment failure. This might be of particular importance since Api m 10 is strongly underrepresented in some therapeutic preparations commonly used for VIT. Although the role of Api m 10 in HBV allergy and tolerance induction during VIT is not fully understood, it certainly is a useful tool to unravel primary sensitization and individual sensitization profiles in component-resolved diagnostics (CRD). Moreover, a potential of Api m 10 to contribute to personalized treatment strategies in HBV allergy is emerging.
Topics: Allergens; Animals; Arthropod Venoms; Bee Venoms; Desensitization, Immunologic; Humans; Hymenoptera; Insect Bites and Stings; Risk Factors
PubMed: 32548726
DOI: 10.1007/s11882-020-00943-3 -
Allergy and Asthma Proceedings 2012The Hymenoptera order is divided into three families: Apids, Vespidae, and Formicidae. Apids include the honeybee, bumblebee, and sweat bee, which are all docile and... (Review)
Review
The Hymenoptera order is divided into three families: Apids, Vespidae, and Formicidae. Apids include the honeybee, bumblebee, and sweat bee, which are all docile and tend to sting mostly on provocation. The Africanized killer bee, a product of interbreeding between the domestic and African honeybee, is very aggressive and is found mostly in Mexico, Central America, Arizona, and California. The yellow jacket, yellow hornet, white (bald)-faced hornet, and paper wasp all belong to the Vespidae family. The Formicidae family includes the harvester ant and the fire ant. When a "bee" sting results in a large local reaction, defined as >5 in. and lasting >24 hours, the likelihood of anaphylaxis from a future sting is ∼5%. For comparison, when there is a history of anaphylaxis from a previous Hymenoptera sting and the patient has positive skin tests to venom, at least 60% of adults and 20-32% of children will develop anaphylaxis with a future sting. Both patient groups should be instructed about avoidance measures and carrying and knowing when to self-inject epinephrine, but immunotherapy (IT) with Hymenoptera venom is indicated for those patients with a history of anaphylaxis from the index sting and not for patients who have experienced a large local reaction. IT is highly effective in that by 4 years of injections, the incidence of subsequent sting-induced anaphylactic reactions is 3%. This incidence may increase modestly after discontinuation of injections but has not been reported >10% in follow-up.
Topics: Allergens; Arthropod Venoms; Desensitization, Immunologic; Humans; Insect Bites and Stings
PubMed: 22794677
DOI: 10.2500/aap.2012.33.3534 -
Medical Toxicology and Adverse Drug... 1989Black widow spider (Latrodectus mactans) envenomation is found throughout both the temperate and tropical latitudes, and is one of the leading causes of death from... (Review)
Review
Black widow spider (Latrodectus mactans) envenomation is found throughout both the temperate and tropical latitudes, and is one of the leading causes of death from arthropod envenomations worldwide. The venom is highly neurotoxic, affecting the presynaptic motor endplate to allow massive noradrenaline (norepinephrine) and acetylcholine release into synapses causing excessive stimulation and fatigue of the motor end plate and muscle. Clinically, patients develop a bite site lesion and pain, abdominal pain and tenderness, and lower extremity pain and weakness within minutes to hours of envenomation. Symptoms progress over several hours, then subside over 2 to 3 days. The recommended treatment of 'common' envenomation is calcium gluconate 10% intravenously, titrated to relief of symptoms; antivenin, although effective, may cause hypersensitivity and serum sickness reactions, and should be restricted to life-threatening envenomations only. Brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa) envenomations are seen in the Americas and in Europe, and are endemic to the south and central United States. The venom contains at least 8 enzymes, consisting of various lysins (facilitating venom spread) and sphingomyelinase D, which causes cell membrane injury and lysis, thrombosis, local ischaemia, and chemotaxis. Local envenomations begin as pain and itching that progresses to vesiculation with violaceous necrosis and surrounding erythema, and ultimately ulcer formation. Systemic envenomations may be life threatening, and present with fever, constitutional symptoms, petechial eruptions, thrombocytopenia, and haemolysis with haemoglobinuric renal failure. Treatment of local envenomations is conservative (local wound care, cryotherapy, elevation, tetanus prophylaxis, and close follow-up); systemic envenomation requires supportive care and treatment of arising complications, corticosteroids to stabilise red blood cell membranes, and support of renal function. Dapsone 100mg daily has emerged as a promising therapeutic agent in both animal studies and clinical trials. Over 650 species of scorpions are known to cause envenomation (mostly in children under 10 years); they are endemic mostly in arid and tropical areas. Different venoms and clinical presentations are seen across the different species. Most commonly, an inflammatory local reaction occurs with envenomation, which is treated with wound debridement and cleaning, tetanus prophylaxis, and antihistamines. Occasionally the venom is allergenic, and the resultant allergic reaction is treated in a standard fashion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Topics: Animals; Arthropod Venoms; Arthropods; Bites and Stings; Humans
PubMed: 2664428
DOI: 10.1007/BF03259994 -
Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery Dec 2016Centipedes are one of the oldest and most successful lineages of venomous terrestrial predators. Despite their use for centuries in traditional medicine, centipede... (Review)
Review
Centipedes are one of the oldest and most successful lineages of venomous terrestrial predators. Despite their use for centuries in traditional medicine, centipede venoms remain poorly studied. However, recent work indicates that centipede venoms are highly complex chemical arsenals that are rich in disulfide-constrained peptides that have novel pharmacology and three-dimensional structure. Areas covered: This review summarizes what is currently known about centipede venom proteins, with a focus on disulfide-rich peptides that have novel or unexpected pharmacology that might be useful from a therapeutic perspective. The authors also highlight the remarkable diversity of constrained three-dimensional peptide scaffolds present in these venoms that might be useful for bioengineering of drug leads. Expert opinion: Like most arthropod predators, centipede venoms are rich in peptides that target neuronal ion channels and receptors, but it is also becoming increasingly apparent that many of these peptides have novel or unexpected pharmacological properties with potential applications in drug discovery and development.
Topics: Animals; Arthropod Venoms; Arthropods; Drug Design; Drug Discovery; Humans; Peptides; Proteins
PubMed: 27611363
DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2016.1235155 -
Toxicon : Official Journal of the... Nov 2018Centipede bites are usually characterized by mildly to moderately painful encounters with humans, however, they are relatively infrequent. The vast majority of centipede... (Review)
Review
Centipede bites are usually characterized by mildly to moderately painful encounters with humans, however, they are relatively infrequent. The vast majority of centipede envenomations do not cause severe symptoms and only in very rare cases more serious symptoms such as myocardial ischemia and infarction, hematuria, hemoglobinuria, rhabdomyolysis, hemorrhage, pruritus, eosinophilic cellulitis, as well as anaphylaxis are observed. More prevalent are symptoms including pain, paresthesia, lethargy, localized necrosis, headache, dizziness and nausea. The numerous symptoms and complications elicited by these envenomations indicate that centipede venom possesses an arsenal of chemical components with functional diversity. Centipede venom is a rich and complex natural source of bioactive proteins, peptides and other small molecules that aid in predation or defense. The venom can induce myotoxic, cardiotoxic, neurotoxic and other toxic effects. The constituents target different cellular processes and pathways which in turn trigger a cascade of physiological reactions in the victim. The venom components are potent and selective on peripheral targets; thus, they are valuable in studying the molecular basis of these envenomation symptoms and complications. This review highlights the clinical importance of centipede envenomation and the recent discoveries on the underlying molecular mechanisms of the resulting symptoms which is crucial in therapy.
Topics: Animals; Arthropod Venoms; Arthropods; Bites and Stings; Humans
PubMed: 30273703
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.09.008