Outbreak of caterpillar dermatitis caused by airborne hairs of the mistletoe browntail moth (Euproctis edwardsi)

Med J Aust. 2001 Dec;175(11-12):641-3. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2001.tb143760.x.

Abstract

Caterpillars may be an under-recognised cause of skin and eye reactions. We report a four-month outbreak of recurrent papulourticarial rash among staff and visitors at a community centre. Caterpillar of the mistletoe browntail moth The cause was eventually diagnosed as airborne hairs from (Euproctis edwardsi). caterpillars of the mistletoe browntail moth (Euproctis edwardsi), which infested a eucalypt tree growing in front of the centre. To our knowledge, this is the first clear case of airborne caterpillar hairs causing dermatitis in an indoor environment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Aspirin / therapeutic use
  • Dermatitis / epidemiology*
  • Dermatitis / etiology
  • Dermatitis / physiopathology
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Moths / pathogenicity*
  • New South Wales / epidemiology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Aspirin