Adverse reactions to insects occur in both human and veterinary patients. Systematic comparison may lead to improved recommendations for prevention and treatment in all species. In this position paper, we summarize the current knowledge on insect allergy induced via stings, bites, inhalation or ingestion, and compare reactions in companion animals to those in people. With few exceptions, the situation in human insect allergy is better documented than in animals. We focus on a review of recent literature and give overviews of the epidemiology and clinical signs. We discuss allergen sources and allergenic molecules to the extent described, and aspects of diagnosis, prophylaxis, management and therapy.

Center of Allergy and Environment Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Center Munich Munich Germany

Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine Ludwig Maximilian University Munich Munich Germany

Comparative Medicine The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Medical University of Vienna and University of Vienna Vienna Austria

Department of Clinical Research and Veterinary Public Health Vetsuisse Faculty University of Berne Berne Switzerland

Department of Dermatology Allergology University Medical Center Utrecht Utrecht The Netherlands

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Cairo University Cairo Egypt

Faculty of Science Charles University Prague Czech Republic

Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research Center of Pathophysiology Infectiology and Immunology Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria

School of Veterinary Medicine University of Wisconsin Madison Wisconsin

Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research Davos Switzerland

TNO Zeist The Netherlands

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Epithelial barrier dysfunction and associated diseases in companion animals: Differences and similarities between humans and animals and research needs