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

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2006 May;74(5):807-9.

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.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antivenins / administration & dosage
  • Arthropod Venoms / toxicity
  • Blood Coagulation Tests
  • Brazil
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Emergency Treatment
  • Hemolysis
  • Hemorrhage / chemically induced
  • Hemorrhage / complications
  • Hemorrhage / diagnosis*
  • Hemorrhage / pathology
  • Hemorrhage / therapy
  • Humans
  • Insect Bites and Stings / complications
  • Insect Bites and Stings / diagnosis*
  • Insect Bites and Stings / pathology
  • Insect Bites and Stings / therapy
  • Lepidoptera*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Antivenins
  • Arthropod Venoms