title: IgE sensitization to Thaumetopoea pityocampa : diagnostic utility of a setae extract, clinical picture and associated risk factors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Setae from Thaumetopoea pityocampa larvae (the pine processionary moth or PPM) can induce hypersensitivity reactions, but their clinical role in IgE-mediated responses is still subject to discussion. The aim of this study was to evaluate a setae extract for in vivo and in vitro diagnosis in nonhospitalized patients with reactions to PPM.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-eight adult patients presenting with PPM cutaneous reactions were studied by skin prick test (SPT) and specific IgE using setae and whole larval (WL) extracts. Biological standardized extracts were used for skin tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 47.9% patients had a positive SPT for PPM (70% to both extracts, 17% only to the WL extract and 13% only to the setae extract). IgE immunoblotting detected several reactive bands in 91% of the SPT-positive cases. In multivariate analysis, male sex, immediate latency (<1 h) and duration of skin symptoms (<24 h) were independent predictors of a positive SPT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IgE sensitization to PPM was found in 48% of the study patients, which was associated with immediate reactions and evanescent cutaneous lesions. Most of these patients reacted to both WL and setae extracts, but some reacted to only one of them. According to our data, skin and in vitro tests to PPM should be performed using both extracts.
authors: Allergy Section, Hospital Universitario Río Hortega, Valladolid, Spain.
authors: José María
authors: JM
authors: Vega
authors: Ignacio
authors: I
authors: Moneo
authors: José Carlos
authors: JC
authors: García-Ortiz
authors: Miguel
authors: M
authors: González-Muñoz
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: Ruiz
authors: Ana Isabel
authors: AI
authors: Rodríguez-Mahillo
authors: Alain
authors: A
authors: Roques
authors: Jesús
authors: J
authors: Vega
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D007814:Larva / Q000276:immunology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009036:Moths / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods*; D013030:Spain; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E