Yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor): A rare cause of chronic urticaria

IF 0.3 4区医学

Revue Francaise d Allergologie Pub Date : 2025-03-20 DOI:10.1016/j.reval.2025.104255

D. Tekcan, I. Kulhas Celik, H. Artac

{"title":"Yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor): A rare cause of chronic urticaria","authors":"D. Tekcan, I. Kulhas Celik, H. Artac","doi":"10.1016/j.reval.2025.104255","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This report presents a unique case of chronic urticaria (CU) caused by a food allergy to mealworm. A 10-year-old boy experienced daily itchy urticarial rashes for three months, accompanied by swelling, especially in the morning. Despite high-dose second-generation antihistamines, montelukast, a hypoallergenic diet, and intermittent steroids, symptoms persisted. Routine investigations, including hemogram, thyroid function tests, and autoantibodies, were normal. Total IgE level was elevated (715kU/L), but skin prick tests showed no sensitivities. Component-resolved diagnosis revealed a reaction to yellow mealworm (<em>Tenebrio molitor</em>, 0.53kUA/L). Investigation uncovered daily bread consumption prepared from flour stored in non-heat-resistant sacks, where mealworms proliferated. Symptom resolution followed dietary elimination of contaminated flour, enabling treatment tapering. <em>Tenebrio molitor</em> thrives in high-temperature storage and is increasingly used as a protein source. Cross-reactivity with shrimp allergens is documented. This case highlights the role of environmental factors in CU and the utility of component-resolved diagnostics. Identifying yellow mealworm as a rare CU cause emphasizes the importance of comprehensive evaluation in persistent cases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49130,"journal":{"name":"Revue Francaise d Allergologie","volume":"65 3","pages":"Article 104255"},"PeriodicalIF":0.3000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Revue Francaise d Allergologie","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877032025000272","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"","JCRName":"","Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Abstract

This report presents a unique case of chronic urticaria (CU) caused by a food allergy to mealworm. A 10-year-old boy experienced daily itchy urticarial rashes for three months, accompanied by swelling, especially in the morning. Despite high-dose second-generation antihistamines, montelukast, a hypoallergenic diet, and intermittent steroids, symptoms persisted. Routine investigations, including hemogram, thyroid function tests, and autoantibodies, were normal. Total IgE level was elevated (715 kU/L), but skin prick tests showed no sensitivities. Component-resolved diagnosis revealed a reaction to yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor, 0.53 kUA/L). Investigation uncovered daily bread consumption prepared from flour stored in non-heat-resistant sacks, where mealworms proliferated. Symptom resolution followed dietary elimination of contaminated flour, enabling treatment tapering. Tenebrio molitor thrives in high-temperature storage and is increasingly used as a protein source. Cross-reactivity with shrimp allergens is documented. This case highlights the role of environmental factors in CU and the utility of component-resolved diagnostics. Identifying yellow mealworm as a rare CU cause emphasizes the importance of comprehensive evaluation in persistent cases.

查看原文本刊更多论文

求助全文

约1分钟内获得全文求助全文

来源期刊

Revue Francaise d Allergologie Medicine-Immunology and Allergy

自引率

33.30%

发文量

349

期刊介绍： La Revue Française d''Allergologie : un véritable forum pour faire connaître des travaux originaux et permettre la diffusion de l''information auprès de toutes les spécialités concernées par les pathologies allergiques. La Revue Française d''Allergologie (8 numéros par an) est au carrefour de nombreuses spécialités - dermatologie, pédiatrie, ORL, pneumologie, ophtalmologie, médecine interne - qui, toutes, ont à traiter des maladies allergiques. Les symptômes des allergies fondés sur des mécanismes communs sont le plus souvent associés et se succèdent chez un même patient. En forte progression depuis 20 ans, les maladies allergiques sont dans l''attente de perfectionnements et d''avancées thérapeutiques qui permettront aux nombreux patients qui en sont atteints de mieux vivre avec leurs allergies. La Revue Française d''Allergologie se veut donc un véritable forum de discussions et d''échanges entre tous les spécialistes confrontés aux pathologies