Caution: Reptile pets shuttle grasshopper allergy and asthma into homes

The World Allergy Organization Journal
Erika Jensen-JarolimTamar Kinaciyan

Abstract

The numbers of reptiles in homes has at least doubled in the last decade in Europe and the USA. Reptile purchases are increasingly triggered by the attempt to avoid potentially allergenic fur pets like dogs and cats. Consequently, reptiles are today regarded as surrogate pets initiating a closer relationship with the owner than ever previously observed. Reptile pets are mostly fed with insects, especially grasshoppers and/or locusts, which are sources for aggressive airborne allergens, best known from occupational insect breeder allergies. Exposure in homes thus introduces a new form of domestic allergy to grasshoppers and related insects. Accordingly, an 8-year old boy developed severe bronchial hypersensitivity and asthma within 4 months after purchase of a bearded dragon. The reptile was held in the living room and regularly fed with living grasshoppers. In the absence of a serological allergy diagnosis test, an IgE immunoblot on grasshopper extract and prick-to-prick test confirmed specific sensitization to grasshoppers. After 4 years of allergen avoidance, a single respiratory exposure was sufficient to trigger a severe asthma attack again in the patient. Based on literature review and the clinical example we conclude that...Continue Reading

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Citations

Mar 14, 2017·The World Allergy Organization Journal·Isabella Pali-SchöllErika Jensen-Jarolim
Apr 26, 2018·Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition·Isabella Pali-SchöllSusana Monsó
Jul 13, 2017·Journal of Immunotoxicology·Wendy RamírezAlexis Labrada
Jul 17, 2019·Current Protein & Peptide Science·Kyoung Yong Jeong, Jung-Won Park
Nov 25, 2020·Annual Review of Animal Biosciences·Kerensa J HawkeyAndrew M Salter
Apr 28, 2021·Allergology International : Official Journal of the Japanese Society of Allergology·Yuma Fukutomi, Yuji Kawakami

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