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New Research in Asian Ladybug Allergies Featured at 2006 AAAAI Annual Meeting in Miami Beach

Posted on: Friday, 3 March 2006, 09:01 CST

MIAMI BEACH, March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Asian ladybugs (Harmonia axyridis), have the potential to cause a reaction for spring, fall and winter allergy sufferers, according to new research presented today at the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology's 2006 Annual Meeting in Miami Beach.

Kusum Sharma, MD, University of Louisville School of Medicine, and colleagues were looking to prove if Asian ladybugs could cause hypersensitivity, and if that was the case, estimate the prevalence of self- reported ladybug allergy. Ninety-nine people responded to an anonymous survey, with 50 percent saying they were allergic to Asian ladybugs. Nineteen percent of the people reported allergy symptoms on direct contact with ladybugs and 31% said they used more allergy medication during times of Asian ladybug infestation.

Overall allergy symptoms were worse during spring, fall and winter infestations. The group concluded allergic patients should limit their exposure to the Asian ladybugs and that researchers need to think of the creatures as a potential allergen.

Ladybug sensitization is comparable to cockroach and cat

A new study conducted by David W. Goetz, MD, of Exemplar Allergy and Asthma, Morgantown, WV, shows that Asian ladybug sensitization can be found in people of all ages and is comparable to cockroach sensitivity.

Goetz's study reviewed approximately 1,400 skin tests from 2001-2004. Skin-test sensitization for Asian ladybugs was 21%. In comparison, cat was 24%, cockroach 27% and dust mite 40%. When people had sensitization to just one allergen, 10% of the time it was for dust mite, 6% for cockroach or Asian ladybug, and 4% for cat.

The study showed that cockroach and ladybug have a high degree of skin- test compatibility. Asian ladybugs also have a unique feature - they found skin sensitization was greater in patients living in rural areas compared to those living in the city.

Asian ladybugs are a growing indoor allergen

A study conducted by Takuya Nakazawa, MD, Asthma and Allergy Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, and colleagues also showed the compatibility between Asian ladybug and cockroach allergies and that Asian ladybugs have become a new indoor allergen.

Twelve patients with symptoms including cough, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and acute asthma took part in the study. They were exposed to Asian ladybugs and had a positive skin prick test afterward, proving Asian ladybugs are a possible indoor allergen. The cross reactivity with cockroach allergens became evident after a test that was performed showed the Asian ladybug proteins would give a false positive result for cockroach allergens.

These studies were presented at the 2006 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). The AAAAI is the largest professional medical specialty organization in the United States representing allergists, asthma specialists, clinical immunologists, allied health professionals and others with special interest in the research and treatment of allergic disease. Allergy/immunology specialists are pediatric or internal medicine physicians who have elected an additional two years of training to become specialized in the treatment of asthma, allergy and immunologic disease. Established in 1943, the AAAAI has more than 6,300 members in the United States, Canada and 60 other countries. The AAAAI serves as an advocate for the public by providing educational information through its Web site http://www.aaaai.org/, and its Physician Referral and Information Line at (800) 822-2762.

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

CONTACT: Karen Janka of American Academy of Allergy, Asthma andImmunology, kjanka@aaaai.org, OR +1-414-272-6071

Web site: http://www.aaaai.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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