Multicolored Asian lady beetle hypersensitivity: a case series and allergist survey.
BACKGROUND
Multicolored Asian lady beetles (Harmonia axyridis) have been used as a biological control agent against crop-destroying aphids in the United States. Outside their natural habitat, H. axyridis seeks refuge in homes during fall and winter, leading to patient complaints and symptoms of rhinitis, wheezing, and urticaria on exposure to the beetles.


OBJECTIVE
To gain a better understanding of the character and spectrum of allergic disease provoked by exposure to home-infesting lady beetles.


METHODS
Eight patients with allergic symptoms suspected of being caused by H. axyridis and consistent with an IgE-mediated process were identified and interviewed. A whole-body extract from H. axyridis was prepared. Western blots using the patients' serum identified specific IgE antibodies in the extract. Through a novel technique, immunohistochemical analysis using beetle sections overlayed with patient serum was performed. A random survey of allergists from across the United States was also performed to evaluate experience with cases of lady beetle allergy.


RESULTS
Western blots revealed IgE binding to 5 proteins with molecular weights of approximately 8.6, 21, 28, 31, and 75 kDa. Specific IgE bound to proteins localized in the beetle's mouth and leg areas. The allergist survey revealed positive responses in North Central, Mid-Atlantic and New England states.


CONCLUSIONS
In 8 patients with allergic symptoms on exposure to high levels of lady beetles, specific IgE bound to proteins from H. axyridis. There was also an increased frequency of suspected cases of lady beetle allergy in endemic areas.
Albright
Deborah D
DD
Department of Allergy and Immunology, Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas 78236, USA. deborah.albright@wpafb.af.mil
Jordan-Wagner
Diane
D
Napoli
Diane C
DC
Parker
Amy L
AL
Quance-Fitch
Fonzie
F
Whisman
Bonnie
B
Collins
Jacob W
JW
Hagan
Larry L
LL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000485:Allergens; D019476:Insect Proteins