Experimental arthritis induced by bristles from a "Lepidoptera", "Premolis Semirufa": estudo hispatológico em ratos

Pararamose é uma doença ocupacional dos seringueiros da regiao Amazônica, de natureza inflamatória, causada pela penetraçao acidental de cerdas da "pararama", nome vulgar da lagarta do lepidóptero Premolis semirufa, durante a coleta do látex. As cerdas ocorrem tanto na superfície da lagarta quanto de seu casulo; contato manual repetido com as mesmas pode causar processo crônico articular. Este estudo teve por objetivo investigar a evoluçao da artropatia causada pelas cerdas usando o rato como modelo experimental. O processo inflamatório foi induzido por injeçao de suspensao salina de cerdas no dorso ou na pata de ratos submetidos ou nao a contato com a suspensao. Os aspectos histopatológicos observados sugerem a participaçao de mecanismos de hipersensibilidade na manutençao do processo inflamatório

"Pararamose": an occupational arthritis caused by lepidoptera (Premolis semirufa): an epidemiological study

The frequency of "pararama" occupational accidents between 1988 and 1990 as well as some associated clinical manifestations are herein reported. Data were collected at an industrial rubber tree plantation, in the northern part of Brazil and compared with data similarly collected from 1971 to 1974 on the same plantation, before starting protective measures. "Pararama" is the popular name of the larval form of a native insect of the Amazonian region, Premolis semirufa. During the study period, the annual average of latex extractors was 337 and 60 accidents caused by "pararama" were registered. The annual average number of accidentes per worker from 1971 to 1974 was 0.117 and in the period of this study, 0.063(p=0.061). Nineteen injured subjects were clinically evaluated and 13 of them were symptomic. There was a statistically significant association between multiple accidents and the presence of symptoms (p=0.001). "Pararamose", an occupational arthropathy, which may evolve with functional impairment of the affected joint, can be prevented with the latex extractors education and the institution of prophylactic measures, such as the use of gloves, boots and protective glasses