CASE REPORT
Deer ked-induced occupational allergic rhinoconjunctivitis

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1081-1206(10)61141-6Get rights and content

Background

Deer keds (elk fly) have not previously been described as a cause of respiratory or conjunctival sensitization.

Objective

To report a case of IgE-mediated allergic rhinoconjunctivitis from occupational exposure to deer ked.

Methods

Skin prick testing (SPT) was performed with pollens, animal danders, mites, molds, and deer ked. The serum deer ked-specific IgE level was examined in ImmunoSpot and radioallergosorbent test assays, and deer ked IgE-binding fractions and their specificities were examined in immunoblot and immunoblot inhibition assays. Nasal provocation testing (NPT) and conjunctival provocation testing (CPT) were performed to detect the association between deer ked sensitization and rhinoconjunctival symptoms. Both SPT and NPT were performed with deer ked whole-body extract, whereas CPT was performed with deer ked wing.

Results

The results of SPT, NPT, and CPT were positive for deer ked. In laboratory tests, serum deer ked-specific IgE antibodies were demonstrated in radioallergosorbent test and ImmunoSpot assays. In immunoblot, IgE-binding bands were demonstrated at 17, 33, 70, and 85 kDa, which were clearly inhibited with deer ked extract but not with the control extract.

Conclusions

Occupational IgE-mediated rhinoconjunctival allergy to deer ked was confirmed in this patient.

REFERENCES (19)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (31)

  • Molecular characterization of Lipoptena cervi from environmental samples collected in Poland

    2021, International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife
    Citation Excerpt :

    Nowadays, the incidental infestation of humans with L. cervi has also been reported (Härkönen et al., 2009; Kortet et al., 2010). Humans bitten by louse flies can develop dermatitis, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis or even anaphylactic shock (Rantanen et al., 1982; Laukkanen et al., 2005; Decastello and Farkas, 2010). According to Härkönen et al. (2009), the number of people who require medical treatment for deer ked dermatitis will continue to increase.

  • Keds, the enigmatic flies and their role as vectors of pathogens

    2020, Acta Tropica
    Citation Excerpt :

    Nonetheless, humans may face serious health issues due to L. cervi parasitism (Kortet et al., 2010), developing chronic dermatitis (Härkönen et al., 2009) and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (Laukkanen et al., 2005). Human diseases associated to L. cervi have been considered occupational conditions, as it affects workers in forests and national parks (Laukkanen et al., 2005). Meanwhile, it is also a potential concern for humans in recreational field activities (e.g., camping, running, hiking) during adult keds host-searching season (i.e., later summer and early autumn), when primary host population density is high (Härkönen et al., 2009; Kortet et al., 2010).

  • Louse flies, keds, and bat flies (hippoboscoidea)

    2018, Medical and Veterinary Entomology
View all citing articles on Scopus
View full text