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Casafús MG, Gritti MA, González KY, Sánchez MN, Sciani JM, Martínez MM, Teibler GP, Peichoto ME. Unraveling the distinctive venomous features of the saturniid Hylesia sp.: An integrative approach of a public health concern in Argentina. Acta Trop 2022; 231:106428. [PMID: 35339435 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The saturniid genus Hylesia is well known for the cutaneous lepidopterism induced by airborne setae on contact with the skin. Although several cases of such dermatitis have been reported in Argentina, no information about their venoms and toxicological implications on human health is available yet. Thus, we conducted a morphological analysis of the setae/spines and a toxinological characterization (through biological assays and proteomic techniques) of the bristle extract from caterpillars and moths of Hylesia sp. from Misiones, Argentina. By scanning electron microscopy, we revealed the various and distinctive types of urticating structures: harpoon-shaped or spiny setae in caterpillars, and setae with barb-like structures in female moths. Their venom electrophoretic profiles were substantially different, presenting proteins related to toxicity, such as serpins and serine peptidases. The female moth venom exhibited higher caseinolytic activity than the caterpillar venom, and coincidentally only the former noticeably hydrolyzed fibrinogen and gelatin. In addition, the female venom displayed a dose-dependent procoagulant effect. The injection of this venom into mouse skin led to the rapid detection of an increased number of intact and degranulated mast cells in the dermis; a few areas of focal subcutaneous hemorrhage were also observed after 5 h of injection. Altogether, this study provides relevant information about the pathophysiological mechanisms whereby Hylesia sp. from northeastern Argentina can induce toxicity on human beings, and paves the way for treatment strategies of accidents caused by this saturniid lepidopteran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena G Casafús
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical (INMeT) - ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G Malbrán", Almafuerte y Ámbar s/n, 3370 Puerto, Iguazú, Argentina
| | - Micaela A Gritti
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical (INMeT) - ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G Malbrán", Almafuerte y Ámbar s/n, 3370 Puerto, Iguazú, Argentina
| | - Karen Y González
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical (INMeT) - ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G Malbrán", Almafuerte y Ámbar s/n, 3370 Puerto, Iguazú, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias (FCV), Universidad Nacional del Nordeste (UNNE), Sargento Cabral 2139, 3400 Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Matías N Sánchez
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias (FCV), Universidad Nacional del Nordeste (UNNE), Sargento Cabral 2139, 3400 Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Juliana M Sciani
- Laboratório Multidisciplinar de Pesquisa, Universidade São Francisco, Av. São Francisco de Assis 218, 12916-900 Bragança Paulista, SP, Brazil
| | - María M Martínez
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical (INMeT) - ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G Malbrán", Almafuerte y Ambar s/n, 3370 Puerto Iguazú, Argentina
| | - Gladys P Teibler
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias (FCV), Universidad Nacional del Nordeste (UNNE), Sargento Cabral 2139, 3400 Corrientes, Argentina
| | - María E Peichoto
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical (INMeT) - ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G Malbrán", Almafuerte y Ámbar s/n, 3370 Puerto, Iguazú, Argentina.
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Caterpillar Venom: A Health Hazard of the 21st Century. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8060143. [PMID: 32486237 PMCID: PMC7345192 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8060143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Caterpillar envenomation is a global health threat in the 21st century. Every direct or indirect contact with the urticating hairs of a caterpillar results in clinical manifestations ranging from local dermatitis symptoms to potentially life-threatening systemic effects. This is mainly due to the action of bioactive components in the venom that interfere with targets in the human body. The problem is that doctors are limited to relieve symptoms, since an effective treatment is still lacking. Only for Lonomia species an effective antivenom does exist. The health and economical damage are an underestimated problem and will be even more of a concern in the future. For some caterpillar species, the venom composition has been the subject of investigation, while for many others it remains unknown. Moreover, the targets involved in the pathophysiology are poorly understood. This review aims to give an overview of the knowledge we have today on the venom composition of different caterpillar species along with their pharmacological targets. Epidemiology, mode of action, clinical time course and treatments are also addressed. Finally, we briefly discuss the future perspectives that may open the doors for future research in the world of caterpillar toxins to find an adequate treatment.
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