Asthma Caused by African Hedgehog: A Report of Two Cases

Gema Rubio, Rocío Mourelle, Fernando Pineda, Isabel Ojeda, Alexandra Yago and Pedro Ojeda

Department of Allergy and Immunology, Clínica de Asma y Alergia Dres Ojeda, Madrid, Spain

^*Correspondance to: Rocío Mourelle 

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Abstract:

Background: There are very few published studies involving hedgehogs as an allergenic source, being urticarial reactions the most frequently described. The presence of hedgehogs at homes is spreading widely throughout the population and in the last 2 years two publications have demonstrated the presence of different hedgehog´s protein families as responsible for both respiratory and cutaneous symptoms.Methods: We present 2 patients with asthmatic symptoms after direct contact with hedgehogs at home. African pygmy hedgehog urine and bedding extracts were prepared and a prick-test was carried out with the extract. SDS-PAGE IgE immunoblotting assays were also performed for both patient´s serum.Results: Skin prick tests carried out showed positive results to hedgehog urine and in the first case also to bedding. The SPS-PAGE revealed in the first case an IgE-reactivity with proteins with apparent molecular weight of approximately 40 kDa which could correspond to an elastase belonging to the acidic mammalian chitinase-like elastase family and in the second case revealed proteins with apparent molecular weights between 30 and 60 kDa which may concur with lipocalins and albumins.Conclusion: To our knowledge this is the second report of hedgehog hypersensitivity which confirms the presence of acidic mammalian chitinase-like elastase family, lipocalins and albumins members as the relevant allergens.

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Cite the Article:

Rubio G, Mourelle R, Pineda F, Ojeda I, Yago A, Ojeda P. Asthma Caused by African Hedgehog: A Report of Two Cases. Ann Clin Case Rep. 2017; 2: 1415.