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Walker AA, Perkins LE, Battisti A, Zalucki MP, King GF. Proteome of urticating setae of Ochrogaster lunifer, a processionary caterpillar of medical and veterinary importance, including primary structures of putative toxins. Proteomics 2023; 23:e2300204. [PMID: 37528493 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202300204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Ochrogaster lunifer (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) is an Australian processionary caterpillar with detachable urticating setae that have a defensive function. These true setae induce inflammation when they contact human skin, and equine foetal loss syndrome if they are accidentally ingested by gravid horses. We used transcriptomics and proteomics to identify proteins and peptides present in and on urticating setae, which may include toxins that contribute to inflammation and/or foetal loss syndromes. This process identified 37 putative toxins, including multiple homologues of the honeybee venom peptide secapin, and proteins with similarity to odorant binding proteins, arylphorins, and the insect immune modulator Diedel. This work identifies candidate molecules that may contribute to the adverse effects of processionary caterpillar setae on human and animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A Walker
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Lynda E Perkins
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Andrea Battisti
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and the Environment, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Myron P Zalucki
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
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Olivieri M, Ludovico E, Battisti A. Occupational Exposure of Forest Workers to the Urticating Setae of the Pine Processionary Moth Thaumetopoea pityocampa. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4735. [PMID: 36981645 PMCID: PMC10049294 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20064735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The larvae of the pine processionary moth are a threat to public health because they produce detachable setae that are about 200 µm long and 6 µm wide, reaching a total number of up to 1 million per mature individual. The setae are intended to be released to protect the larvae from predators but become a public health issue when in contact with humans and warm-blooded animals. Symptoms associated with the setae are typically urticaria and local swelling erythema, although edema of the skin, conjunctivitis or respiratory mucosa may occur. Occupational exposure concerns mainly forest workers but also farmers and gardeners. In the present study, we quantify the exposure to the setae of forest workers in a district of Northern Italy. The pine processionary moth represents a real case of occupational exposure as the urticating setae produced by the larvae caused symptoms in most forest workers directly in contact with the infested trees. In addition, the urticating setae were detected on the body of the chainsaw operators and in the surroundings of the felled trees during the operations. The non-exposed workers of the same agency did not report symptoms, with only one exception, likely linked to a non-occupational exposure. As the risk is not immediately perceived by the workers because direct contact with the larvae is unlikely, a campaign of information to workers and the general population living nearby infested forestry areas about the risk associated with airborne exposure is recommended. This becomes especially important in the areas of recent expansion of the insect, where people are inexperienced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Olivieri
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy
| | - Enzo Ludovico
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy
| | - Andrea Battisti
- Department DAFNAE, University of Padova, Legnaro, 35122 Padova, Italy
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Maier H. Was kommt dort durch die Luft geflogen …? HAUTNAH 2021. [PMCID: PMC7890389 DOI: 10.1007/s12326-021-00421-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Die Larven des 4. bis 6. Stadiums des Eichenprozessionspinners sind mit Brennhärchen (Setae) bewehrt, welche bei Mensch und Tier heftige entzündliche Haut- und Schleimhautreaktionen (Lepidopterismus) hervorrufen. Die Übertragung erfolgt sehr häufig aerogen, oder durch direkten Kontakt. Durch den Befall von Bäumen im urbanen Grünbereich ist die Fallzahl – vor allem in Jahren mit Massenvermehrung des Forstparasiten – sehr groß. Da die Dunkelziffer sehr hoch ist, sollten Ärzte und Ärztinnen bei Patienten mit juckenden, asymmetrisch verteilten papulösen oder urtikariellen Exanthemen an die Möglichkeit des Vorliegens einer Raupendermatitis denken. Meiden der Befallsgebiete bzw. Tragen von persönlicher Schutzkleidung bei Außenarbeitern, stellen die besten präventiven Maßnahmen dar.
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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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Perkins LE, Cribb BW, Pagendam DE, Zalucki MP. Variation in Morphology and Airborne Dispersal of the Urticating Apparatus of Ochrogaster lunifer (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae), an Australian Processionary Caterpillar, and Implications for Livestock and Humans. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2019; 19:5634379. [PMID: 31782508 PMCID: PMC6883397 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/iez112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
True setae borne on the abdominal tergites of Ochrogaster lunifer Herrich-Schӓffer caterpillars are the agents of an irritating contact dermatitis, osteomyelitis, ophthalmia, and severe allergic reactions in humans, and are the cause of Equine Amnionitis and Fetal Loss in Australia. The setae are detached and readily dislodge from the integument whereby they disperse throughout the environment. To better understand the true setae of O. lunifer as agents of medical and veterinary concern, we studied their characteristics and distance dispersed. Whereas members of the European Thaumetopoeinae have been widely studied, their southern-hemisphere counterparts such as O. lunifer are not well known despite their harmfulness and known medical and veterinary importance. The caterpillar's investment in true setae increased with age and size, and two distinct size classes co-occurred in setae fields. A previously undescribed morphological type of true seta was found on the first abdominal segment. All true setae were calculated to travel long distances in the air even under light breeze conditions. Our results show there is a high risk of exposure to airborne urticating setae within 100 m of elevated caterpillar activity, and a likely risk of exposure for some kilometers in the direction of the prevailing breeze. This information should be used to inform management strategies in areas where urticating processionary caterpillars are active, and especially during periods of an outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynda E Perkins
- School of Biological Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Bronwen W Cribb
- School of Biological Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Microscopy & Microanalysis, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Myron P Zalucki
- School of Biological Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Corresponding author, e-mail:
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Berardi L, Pivato M, Arrigoni G, Mitali E, Trentin AR, Olivieri M, Kerdelhué C, Dorkeld F, Nidelet S, Dubois E, Battisti A, Masi A. Proteome Analysis of Urticating Setae From Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae). JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2017; 54:1560-1566. [PMID: 28981804 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjx144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Denis & Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) is harmful to conifer trees because of defoliation and to public health because of the release of urticating setae from the caterpillars. Contact with setae by humans and domestic animals induces dermatitis, usually localized to the exposed areas. Recent studies demonstrated the presence of a complex urticating mechanism where proteins present in the setae may play a role as activators of immune responses. Yet, limited information is available at present about the proteins occurring in the setae of T. pityocampa. Using a refined method for protein extraction from the setae, and a combination of liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), de novo assembly of transcriptomic data, and sequence similarity searches, an extensive data set of 353 proteins was obtained. These were further categorized by molecular function, biological process, and cellular location. All the 353 proteins identified were found to match through BLAST search with at least one Lepidoptera sequence available in databases. We found the previously known allergens Tha p 1 and Tha p 2 described from T. pityocampa, as well as enzymes involved in chitin biosynthesis, one of the principal components of the setae, and serine proteases that were responsible for inflammatory and allergic reactions in other urticating Lepidoptera. This new proteomic database may allow for a better understanding of the complexity of allergenic reactions due to T. pityocampa and to other Lepidoptera sharing similar defense systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Berardi
- Department of Agronomy Food Natural Resources Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell'Universita 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - M Pivato
- Department of Agronomy Food Natural Resources Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell'Universita 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - G Arrigoni
- Proteomics Center, University of Padova and Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, via G. Orus 2/B, 35129 Padova, Padova, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - E Mitali
- Department of Agronomy Food Natural Resources Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell'Universita 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - A R Trentin
- Department of Agronomy Food Natural Resources Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell'Universita 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - M Olivieri
- Occupational Medicine, University Hospital of Verona, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - C Kerdelhué
- INRA, UMR CBGP (INRA/CIRAD/IRD/Montpellier Supagro), 755 avenue du Campus Agropolis, CS30016, F-34988 Montferrier-sur-Lez Cedex, Montferrier-sur-Lez, France
| | - F Dorkeld
- INRA, UMR CBGP (INRA/CIRAD/IRD/Montpellier Supagro), 755 avenue du Campus Agropolis, CS30016, F-34988 Montferrier-sur-Lez Cedex, Montferrier-sur-Lez, France
| | - S Nidelet
- INRA, UMR CBGP (INRA/CIRAD/IRD/Montpellier Supagro), 755 avenue du Campus Agropolis, CS30016, F-34988 Montferrier-sur-Lez Cedex, Montferrier-sur-Lez, France
- MGX-Montpellier GenomiX, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, 141 rue de la cardonille, 34094 Montpellier Cedex 05, Montpellier, France
| | - E Dubois
- MGX-Montpellier GenomiX, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, 141 rue de la cardonille, 34094 Montpellier Cedex 05, Montpellier, France
| | - A Battisti
- Department of Agronomy Food Natural Resources Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell'Universita 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - A Masi
- Department of Agronomy Food Natural Resources Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell'Universita 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
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Battisti A, Larsson S, Roques A. Processionary Moths and Associated Urtication Risk: Global Change-Driven Effects. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2017; 62:323-342. [PMID: 27860523 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-031616-034918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Processionary moths carry urticating setae, which cause health problems in humans and other warm-blooded animals. The pine processionary moth Thaumetopoea pityocampa has responded to global change (climate warming and increased global trade) by extending its distribution range. The subfamily Thaumetopoeinae consists of approximately 100 species. An important question is whether other processionary moth species will similarly respond to these specific dimensions of global change and thus introduce health hazards into new areas. We describe, for the first time, how setae are distributed on different life stages (adult, larva) of major groups within the subfamily. Using the available data, we conclude that there is little evidence that processionary moths as a group will behave like T. pityocampa and expand their distributional range. The health problems caused by setae strongly relate to population density, which may, or may not, be connected to global change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Battisti
- Department DAFNAE, University of Padova, Legnaro I-35020, Italy;
| | - Stig Larsson
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala S-75007, Sweden;
| | - Alain Roques
- Forest Zoology, UR INRA 0633, Orléans F-45075, France;
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