title: Caution: Reptile pets shuttle grasshopper allergy and asthma into homes.
abstract: The numbers of reptiles in homes has at least doubled in the last decade in Europe and the USA. Reptile purchases are increasingly triggered by the attempt to avoid potentially allergenic fur pets like dogs and cats. Consequently, reptiles are today regarded as surrogate pets initiating a closer relationship with the owner than ever previously observed. Reptile pets are mostly fed with insects, especially grasshoppers and/or locusts, which are sources for aggressive airborne allergens, best known from occupational insect breeder allergies. Exposure in homes thus introduces a new form of domestic allergy to grasshoppers and related insects. Accordingly, an 8-year old boy developed severe bronchial hypersensitivity and asthma within 4 months after purchase of a bearded dragon. The reptile was held in the living room and regularly fed with living grasshoppers. In the absence of a serological allergy diagnosis test, an IgE immunoblot on grasshopper extract and prick-to-prick test confirmed specific sensitization to grasshoppers. After 4 years of allergen avoidance, a single respiratory exposure was sufficient to trigger a severe asthma attack again in the patient. Based on literature review and the clinical example we conclude that reptile keeping is associated with introducing potent insect allergens into home environments. Patient interviews during diagnostic procedure should therefore by default include the question about reptile pets in homes.
authors: Comparative Medicine, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University Vienna and University Vienna, Vienna, Austria ; Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer G. 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors: Erika
authors: E
authors: Jensen-Jarolim
authors: Comparative Medicine, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University Vienna and University Vienna, Vienna, Austria ; Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer G. 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors: Isabella
authors: I
authors: Pali-Schöll
authors: AllergyCare, Allergy Diagnosis and Study Center, 1220 Vienna, Austria.
authors: Sebastian A F
authors: SA
authors: Jensen
authors: AllergyCare, Allergy Diagnosis and Study Center, 1220 Vienna, Austria ; The Rudolfinerhaus, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Bruno
authors: B
authors: Robibaro
authors: Division of Immunology, Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Dermatology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Tamar
authors: T
authors: Kinaciyan
keywords: Allergy; Asthma; Grasshopper; IgE; Pets; Reptile; Reptile pets