"Kissing bugs": Potential disease vectors and cause of anaphylaxis

John H. Klotz; Patricia L. Dorn; Joy L. Logan; Lori Stevens; Jacob L. Pinnas; Justin O. Schmidt; Stephen A. Klotz

doi:10.1086/652769

"Kissing bugs": Potential disease vectors and cause of anaphylaxis

John H. Klotz, Patricia L. Dorn, Joy L. Logan, Lori Stevens, Jacob L. Pinnas, Justin O. Schmidt, Stephen A. Klotz

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

66 Scopus citations

Abstract

Physicians in the United States should familiarize themselves with "kissing bugs" endemic to their area of practice and appreciate the medical implications of their bites. Bite victims often seek advice from physicians about allergic reactions as well as the risk of contracting Chagas disease. Physicians are generally knowledgeable about the role of kissing bugs in the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi in Latin America. However, they may be unaware of (1) severe allergic reactions to kissing bug salivary antigens, (2) the widespread occurrence of T. cruzi amongst vertebrate hosts of kissing bugs, and (3) the incidence of T. cruzi among kissing bugs (T. cruzi may infect >50% of sampled bugs). Despite the potential for Chagas disease transmission, the major concern regarding kissing bugs in the United States is anaphylactic reactions to their bites resulting in frequent emergency department visits, especially in areas of endemicity in the Southwest.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	1629-1634
Number of pages	6
Journal	Clinical Infectious Diseases
Volume	50
Issue number	12
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1086/652769
State	Published - Jun 15 2010

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Microbiology (medical)
Infectious Diseases

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10.1086/652769

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abstract = "Physicians in the United States should familiarize themselves with {"}kissing bugs{"} endemic to their area of practice and appreciate the medical implications of their bites. Bite victims often seek advice from physicians about allergic reactions as well as the risk of contracting Chagas disease. Physicians are generally knowledgeable about the role of kissing bugs in the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi in Latin America. However, they may be unaware of (1) severe allergic reactions to kissing bug salivary antigens, (2) the widespread occurrence of T. cruzi amongst vertebrate hosts of kissing bugs, and (3) the incidence of T. cruzi among kissing bugs (T. cruzi may infect >50% of sampled bugs). Despite the potential for Chagas disease transmission, the major concern regarding kissing bugs in the United States is anaphylactic reactions to their bites resulting in frequent emergency department visits, especially in areas of endemicity in the Southwest.",

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AU - Schmidt, Justin O.

AU - Klotz, Stephen A.

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"Kissing bugs": Potential disease vectors and cause of anaphylaxis

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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