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Current Health Problems - SWEDEN

Current Health Problems - SWEDEN. Allergic symptoms due to the Pine Processionary Moth (Thametropoea pinivora) in Gotland, Sweden. By: Sandra Kapoun, General Medicine. What is the problem?.

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Current Health Problems - SWEDEN

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  1. Current Health Problems - SWEDEN Allergic symptoms due to the Pine Processionary Moth (Thametropoea pinivora) in Gotland, Sweden. By: Sandra Kapoun, General Medicine

  2. What is the problem? On the southmost part of the island of Gotland, on the east coast of Sweden, there lives a species of Pine Processionary Moth. They have been causing health problems in natives & tourists. Thametropoea pinivora

  3. Thametropoea pinivora The moth is present in pine forests located in a restricted area of the most southern part of the island. The density of the population has increased considerably during the last few years.

  4. Localisation & Spread Areas of RED: high density Areas of YELLOW: low density Areas of GREEN: no colonies found Areas of GREY : no pine forest Note: this moth-type is normally found in the Mediterranean area.

  5. Biology & Development The larvae produce and release microscopical lancettlike allergenic hairs (setae) during their late stages: → the hairs are only 0.1mm long → they are arranged in rows on the larvae's back → each larvae has 1000-2000 such setae. → each setae has multiple 'hooks' which facilitate adhesion to object/skin/clothes → the hairs are spread through air like pollen → the hairs are active for several months

  6. Pathogenesis & Symptomatology Individuals exposed to airborn hairs/direct-contact hairs from larvae, develop symptoms: → skin reactions (95%): itchy maculopapular rash on FACE, NECK, HANDS → airway reactions (10%): swelling + discomfort, rhinitis, asthmatic reactions → other: fever, anaphylactic reaction (rare but serious) → Reactions are caused by IgE-mediated immunity.

  7. In light of the pathogenesis, there have also been theories that the setae contain poisonous substances: → scientists theorise that substances in the larvae hair cause release of histamine from mast cells, producing allergic symptoms not associated with the IgE-mediated immune reaction. → This theory has been supported by animal testing procedures.

  8. An interesting TWIST... There is a largely varying symptomatology in patients: only ca. 10% of patients have IgE-Abs against larvae Ag. → one possibility: → certain individuals are more predisposed to hypersensitivity to CHITIN (= a primary building block in insect skeleton & setae) → there seems to be a connection between inflammatory asthma-like airway symptoms & inability to break down chitin.

  9. In Conclusion.. As discovered, the Pine Processionary Moth has been a very important & unknown cause of allergic symptoms of the skin and mucus membranes in the population of Sweden (Gotland is visited by a large % of the population in the summer months). Treatment comprises standard alleviation of allergic symptoms, and steering clear of moth-infested areas.

  10. BIBLIOGRAPHY http://www.lakartidningen.se/engine.php?articleId=4533 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_Processionary http://www.lakartidningen.se/engine.php?articleId=12360

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