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Abstract
Freshwater sponges are abundant in the Amazon region and they have been known to cause dermatitis (acute inflammation) since the beginning of the 20th century. To determine whether additional constituents, besides their body spicules, cause dermatological reactions in humans, an experimental study was developed and carried out using mice and Drulia uruguayensis prepared in three different forms: intact sponges (IS), macerated sponges (MS) or isolated spicules - megascleres (ISM). The cells most commonly involved in inflammatory reactions (mast cells, eosinophils and neutrophils), as well as intraepithelial lymphocytes and degranulated mast cells, were counted so that they could be used as parameters to determine which of the sponge preparations induced the greatest reaction. The effects of the sponge on the skin were then determined by histological analysis. The results obtained showed that IS caused the greatest inflammatory reaction (p = 0.000005), activating mainly mast cells (p = 0.0018). The histopathological analysis revealed a slight loss of continuity of the epidermis when ISM or IS were applied. These findings allow us to conclude that a structurally intact sponge can cause a greater inflammatory reaction in the first contact because of its ability to perforate the skin and allow inflammatory agents to enter. Other proteins present in dried sponge bodies could induce allergic but not toxic responses (in contact with the entire sponge, a large number of pharmacologically inert proteins may be introduced, with a potential allergen).
Highlights
Freshwater sponges are found from the north to the south of Brazil and are popularly known by such names as pó-de-mico d’água or coceira d’água and cauxi, cauixi or cauí, that vary depending on the region [1]
Their spicules were extensively used by native tribes in Amazonia as temper in the manufacture of ceramic utensils to prevent the cracking of the material when it is fired [2,3,4,5,6]
Our results show that application of intact sponges induced a greater inflammatory reaction (p = 0.000005) than macerated sponges or isolated spicules (Figure 1)
Summary
Freshwater sponges are found from the north to the south of Brazil and are popularly known by such names as pó-de-mico d’água or coceira d’água and cauxi, cauixi or cauí, that vary depending on the region [1]. In Amazonia, sponges are popularly known by the indigenous names cauixi, cauxi or cauí, which in the Tupi-Guarani language mean itch or burn [2]. Their spicules were extensively used by native tribes in Amazonia as temper in the manufacture of ceramic utensils to prevent the cracking of the material when it is fired [2,3,4,5,6]. The first report of a skin lesion caused by sponges in Brazil may have been the description by Matta [7] of an accident involving a man who transported wood on the Solimões River. Six hours after coming into contact with a sponge, the man’s fingers and palms had acquired an “intense red coloring, which became less intense towards the upper third of the anterior face of the forearms” [7]
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Schedule a callMore From: Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases
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