Venomous caterpillars: From inoculation apparatus to venom composition and envenomation

Autor(es)

Villas-Boas, Isadora Maria ^[1] ; Bonfa, Giuliano ^[1] ; Tambourgi, Denise V. ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Butantan Inst, Immunochem Lab, Ave Vital Brazil 1500, BR-05503900 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Toxicon; v. 153, p. 39-52, OCT 2018.
• Citações Web of Science: 3

Resumo

Envenomation by the larval or pupal stages of moths occurs when the victim presses their hairs. They penetrate the subcutaneous tissue, releasing toxins such as proteolytic enzymes, histamine and other pro-inflammatory substances. Cutaneous reactions, including severe pain, oedema and erythema are frequent local manifestations of caterpillar envenomation, but, in some cases, the reactions can evolve into vesicles, bullae, erosions, petechiae, superficial skin necrosis and ulcerations. Alternatively, some individual can develop allergic reactions, renal failure, osteochondritis, deformity and immobilization of the affected joints and intracerebral bleeding. Caterpillars produce venom to protect themselves from predators; contact with humans is accidental and deserves close attention. Their venoms have not been well studied, except for toxins from some few species. The present review brings together data on venomous caterpillars of moths, primarily addressing the available literature on diversity among the different families that cause accident in humans, the structures used in their defense, venom composition and clinical aspects of the envenomations. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of action of caterpillars' toxins may lead to the development of more adequate treatments. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 15/50040-4 - Rational approach for searching molecular targets involved in inflammatory events and cell survival
• Beneficiário: Ana Marisa Chudzinski-Tavassi
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa Centros de Pesquisa em Engenharia
• Processo FAPESP: 17/07009-4 - Vias de sinalização envolvidas na resposta inflamatória em modelos de cultura 3D de osteoartrite
• Beneficiário: Giuliano Bonfá
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 13/50158-0 - Avaliação dos efeitos do extrato das cerdas de Premolis semirufa, agente etiológico da pararamose,sobre condrócitos humanos
• Beneficiário: Isadora Maria Villas Boas Silva
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado