Skeeter syndrome

Culex mosquito on a human finger

Skeeter syndrome is a localized allergic reaction to mosquito bites,[1] consisting of inflammation and sometimes fever. It is caused by allergenic polypeptides in mosquito saliva and is therefore not contagious.[2]

Although the term seems informal, it has appeared in the published literature.[3]

Diagnosis

Clinical examination alone cannot distinguish between a response caused by infection, such as cellulitis, and skeeter syndrome. However, skeeter syndrome usually progresses over the course of hours versus cellulitis, which typically will evolve over the course of several days. As such, accurate history is imperative when making the diagnosis. Since IgE and IgG are key players in mosquito allergy, diagnosis can be confirmed by an immunosorbent assay measuring IgE and IgG to mosquito saliva antigens.

References

  1. ↑ "'Skeeter Syndrome' Describes Local Allergic Reactions to Mosquito Bites". AllergyWatch (The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology) 2 (1). 2000. Retrieved 2012-05-18.
  2. ↑ Isawa, Haruhiko; Yuda, Masao; Orito, Yuki; Chinzei, Yasuo (2002). "A mosquito salivary protein inhibits activation of the plasma contact system by binding to factor XII and high molecular weight kininogen". Journal of Biological Chemistry 277 (31): 27651–8. doi:10.1074/jbc.M203505200. PMID 12011093.
  3. ↑ Simons, F.Estelle R.; Peng, Zhikang (1999). "Skeeter syndrome". Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 104 (3): 705. doi:10.1016/S0091-6749(99)70348-9. PMID 10482852.


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