Short report: A case of hemolysis resulting from contact with a Lonomia caterpillar in southern Brazil

Abstract

Contact with a caterpillar of the genus Lonomia can result in a hemorrhagic syndrome. Lonomia obliqua venom activates prothrombin and factor X and promotes fibrinogenolytic activity. Although crude L. obliqua bristle extract can induce hemolytic activity in human and rat erythrocytes, there have been no reports of hemolysis in the cases of human contact. We report a confirmed human case of Lonomia venom-induced hemolysis. Copyright © 2006 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.