Epidemiological Pilot Study of the Sensitization to Caterpillars of the Genus <i>Thaumetopoea</i> in Forestry Workers in Bulgaria
Insect bites and Lepidopterism are a major sensitization hazard for forestry workers. In recent years, different species of the genus Thaumetopoea are expanding their habitat in Bulgaria and represent a serious health threat for people working in the forests. The present epidemiological pilot study...
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Numikom LLC
2020-03-01
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| Series: | Эпидемиология и вакцинопрофилактика |
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| Online Access: | https://www.epidemvac.ru/jour/article/view/927 |
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| author | Y. I. Kandova G. S. Nikolov B. N. Petrunov |
| author_facet | Y. I. Kandova G. S. Nikolov B. N. Petrunov |
| author_sort | Y. I. Kandova |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Insect bites and Lepidopterism are a major sensitization hazard for forestry workers. In recent years, different species of the genus Thaumetopoea are expanding their habitat in Bulgaria and represent a serious health threat for people working in the forests. The present epidemiological pilot study aims to investigate the specific sensitization of the forestry workers to the caterpillars of the most spread Thaumetopoea species in Bulgaria, as well as to evaluate their hypersensitivity to a range of inhalant, insect and food allergens.Thirty four forestry workers (28 men and 6 women) were surveyed. The sensitization to pine processionary (Thaumetopoea pityocampa); oak processionary (Thaumetopoea processionea) and Thaumetopoea solitaria was assessed by skin prick tests. Blood samples were taken for determination of total and allergen-specific IgE against a range of inhalant, insect and food allergens. Fourteen (41%) of the forestry workers reported skin rash, itching, runny nose and sneezing during their daily professional activities in the forest. Sixteen (47%) were sensitized to one or more representatives of the Thaumetopoeidae family. The most common is poly-sensitization to all three Thaumetopoea species - in 6 (38%), as well as mono-sensitization to pine processionary - in other 5 (31%). In 13 (39%) increased levels of total IgE, were found. A prevalence of insect allergy was also found. In conclusion, this pilot study provided important information on the impact of the different Thaumetopoea species on the health of the forestry workers. It also outlined the key role of different environmental allergens for the development of symptoms of IgE-mediated allergy and the need for more detailed epidemiologic and allergologic study on the medico-social importance of the sensitization to Thaumetopoea species. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e0c5c84d0e664dad8ba10dae67ee604f |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2073-3046 2619-0494 |
| language | Russian |
| publishDate | 2020-03-01 |
| publisher | Numikom LLC |
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| series | Эпидемиология и вакцинопрофилактика |
| spelling | doaj-art-e0c5c84d0e664dad8ba10dae67ee604f2025-08-20T03:21:01ZrusNumikom LLCЭпидемиология и вакцинопрофилактика2073-30462619-04942020-03-01191717610.31631/2073-3046-2020-19-1-71-76614Epidemiological Pilot Study of the Sensitization to Caterpillars of the Genus <i>Thaumetopoea</i> in Forestry Workers in BulgariaY. I. Kandova0G. S. Nikolov1B. N. Petrunov2National Center of Infectious and Parasitic DiseasesNational Center of Infectious and Parasitic DiseasesNational Center of Infectious and Parasitic DiseasesInsect bites and Lepidopterism are a major sensitization hazard for forestry workers. In recent years, different species of the genus Thaumetopoea are expanding their habitat in Bulgaria and represent a serious health threat for people working in the forests. The present epidemiological pilot study aims to investigate the specific sensitization of the forestry workers to the caterpillars of the most spread Thaumetopoea species in Bulgaria, as well as to evaluate their hypersensitivity to a range of inhalant, insect and food allergens.Thirty four forestry workers (28 men and 6 women) were surveyed. The sensitization to pine processionary (Thaumetopoea pityocampa); oak processionary (Thaumetopoea processionea) and Thaumetopoea solitaria was assessed by skin prick tests. Blood samples were taken for determination of total and allergen-specific IgE against a range of inhalant, insect and food allergens. Fourteen (41%) of the forestry workers reported skin rash, itching, runny nose and sneezing during their daily professional activities in the forest. Sixteen (47%) were sensitized to one or more representatives of the Thaumetopoeidae family. The most common is poly-sensitization to all three Thaumetopoea species - in 6 (38%), as well as mono-sensitization to pine processionary - in other 5 (31%). In 13 (39%) increased levels of total IgE, were found. A prevalence of insect allergy was also found. In conclusion, this pilot study provided important information on the impact of the different Thaumetopoea species on the health of the forestry workers. It also outlined the key role of different environmental allergens for the development of symptoms of IgE-mediated allergy and the need for more detailed epidemiologic and allergologic study on the medico-social importance of the sensitization to Thaumetopoea species.https://www.epidemvac.ru/jour/article/view/927epidemiological studysensitization in forestry workersallergy to thaumetopoea pityocampaallergy to thaumetopoea processioneainsect allergy |
| spellingShingle | Y. I. Kandova G. S. Nikolov B. N. Petrunov Epidemiological Pilot Study of the Sensitization to Caterpillars of the Genus <i>Thaumetopoea</i> in Forestry Workers in Bulgaria Эпидемиология и вакцинопрофилактика epidemiological study sensitization in forestry workers allergy to thaumetopoea pityocampa allergy to thaumetopoea processionea insect allergy |
| title | Epidemiological Pilot Study of the Sensitization to Caterpillars of the Genus <i>Thaumetopoea</i> in Forestry Workers in Bulgaria |
| title_full | Epidemiological Pilot Study of the Sensitization to Caterpillars of the Genus <i>Thaumetopoea</i> in Forestry Workers in Bulgaria |
| title_fullStr | Epidemiological Pilot Study of the Sensitization to Caterpillars of the Genus <i>Thaumetopoea</i> in Forestry Workers in Bulgaria |
| title_full_unstemmed | Epidemiological Pilot Study of the Sensitization to Caterpillars of the Genus <i>Thaumetopoea</i> in Forestry Workers in Bulgaria |
| title_short | Epidemiological Pilot Study of the Sensitization to Caterpillars of the Genus <i>Thaumetopoea</i> in Forestry Workers in Bulgaria |
| title_sort | epidemiological pilot study of the sensitization to caterpillars of the genus i thaumetopoea i in forestry workers in bulgaria |
| topic | epidemiological study sensitization in forestry workers allergy to thaumetopoea pityocampa allergy to thaumetopoea processionea insect allergy |
| url | https://www.epidemvac.ru/jour/article/view/927 |
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