Resumen de Protophormia terraenovae. A new allergenic species in amateur fi shermen of Caceres, Spain
Background: Asticot maggot (Blowfl y, Calliphoridae family) is the most important live bait used for angling in our country. Prevalence of allergy to live fish bait in occupationally exposed workers has been described. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of asticot allergy in amateur fishermen and the identification of marketed asticot species in Cáceres, Spain. Materials and Methods: Seventy-two randomised selected patients (Angler¿s Society of Cáceres) completed a questionnaire about fi shing habits and allergic symptoms related with live bait handling. Skin prick test (SPT) with local asticot and common earthworm extracts were performed. Serum IgE levels to imported species (Protophormia terraenovae, Calliphora vomitoria, Lucilia sericata, Lumbricus terrestris) were measured. Local asticot and common earthworm samples were obtained for taxonomic identifi cation. Data were analysed using the SPSS 12.0 software. Results: Five patients (7 %) reported allergic symptoms caused by asticot maggots. All of them were positive for SPT to asticot and specifi c IgE to P. terraenovae. Sensitisation to P. terraenovae was found in 40 patients (58.8 %). No associated factors for asticot allergy were observed. Larvae and adult fl ies of local asticot samples were identifi ed as P. terraenovae. Conclusions: Commercially available asticot, in Cáceres, is composed by P. terraenovae larvae (Diptera. Calliphoridae). A 7 % prevalence of P. terraenovae allergy in amateur fi shermen of Cáceres was obtained. The allergenic potential of P. terraenovae seems to be greater than that of other blowfl ies and L. terrestris. The SPT with P. terraenovae extract is a very sensitive and specifi c technique in the diagnosis of live bait allergy in fi shermen.
