A review on Respiratory allergy caused by insects

Abstract

Hypersensitivity or allergy encompasses a wide range of immunological reactions that generally have adverse consequences involving one or many organ systems of the body. Allergens are usually glycoprotein or chemically complex low molecular weight substances. The common allergens include pollen, fungal spores, house dust mite and house dust, animal danders, drugs, foods, insect emanations, and detritus, etc. Information on the role of insects in respiratory allergy is increasing in the literature. There are about 30 million living species of insects. These insects can broadly be classified as stinging insects, biting insects and non-stinging and non-biting insects. All materials form insets namely wings, scales, saliva; dried feces and venom can cause allergic diseases, such as rhinitis, conjunctivitis, asthma and urticaria. There are wide varieties of insects such as moths, butterflies, bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, flies, beetles, cockroaches, and mosquitoes. Exposure to emanations and detritus of these insects may lead to several allergies in some genetically predisposed individuals. Therefore, it is of interest to review allergies caused by various insect's stings and bites and their adverse effect on the human body. Background: Allergy and Insect: Allergens are usually proteins or glycoprotein or chemically complex substances with low molecular weight. Their molecular complexity, concentration, solubility and stability in body fluids were other important determinants of allergenic potential [1]. The common allergens include pollen, fungal spores, house dust mite, and house dust, animal dander, insect emanations and detritus, drugs, foods, etc. Out of these, the allergenic significance of a large number of pollen grains, fungal spores, animal danders, house dust and house dust mite has been extensively studied all over the world including India and was very well established [2-9]. The role of insects as sources of inhalant allergens insects was also well studied and suggested insects were one of the most important sources of aeroallergens.