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Re: Reaction to frozen bs and bloodworms

Another US$0.02...

During my recent deviation into the breeding of *Betta splendens* I
encountered many anecdotal reports of sensitivity to bloodworms in *any*
form -- live, frozen or freeze-dried. They are a most popular food for
Bettas and the dominant food used in many SE-Asia Betta "farms."

Since they are used much less for killies, we are just getting the fringe
reports that Betta folk know so very well. I guess the bloodworms (midge-fly
larvae) are just highly likely to be able to produce an allergic reponse in
a lot of people. As Barry says, if you are among 'em, avoid 'em.

Another thing the Betta people have learned is that the handling of
bloodworms before freezing varies widely among brands. Some rot in pails in
the hot equatorial sun, while others have very tight quality control,
freezing while still kicking. The bad ones kill your fish, easily. The only
two brands I have come to trust and will ever feed to my fish are SF Bay
Brand ("Sallys") and Hikari. That's just me. YMMV.

Wright

Barry Cooper wrote:
> 
> I don't have any facts to add to the discussion of allergies to freeze
> dried blood worms, etc. However, it is quite possible that during the
> drying process some of the protein become altered such that they could
> sensitize a person, but not be present on the live organisms. Furthermore,
> once freeze dried antigens from internal and intracellular proteins are
> certainly exposed, while they are not on the intact organism. Of even more
> importance, I suspect, is that the freeze dried products produce a lot of
> dust, which you are likely to inhale. That is a very good way to sensitize
> yourself and could lead to a serious reaction if a sensitized person
> inhaled aerosolized dust from these products. If you know that you are
> sensitive to them, you might do well to avoid them.
> 
> A person can become sensitized to any foreign protein that gains access to
> their immune system. However, some antigens are more likely to sensitize
> than others, and some people are more likely to react than others. Of
> course, my patients are non-human animals. Perhaps Harry Specht would
> comment. Harry, have you ever heard of a serious generalized reaction to
> such products? Local reactions, such as hayfever, conjuctivitis, etc are
> certainly possible.
> 
> Barry
> 
> At 04:14 PM 12/20/99 -0500, you wrote:
> >Thoughts on the brine shrimp/bloodworm allergy situation:
> >
> >Having kept killies for over 30+ years this is the first that I have
> >ever heard of the reaction to frozen bs and bloodworms.  One would think
> >that if frozen brine shrimp or bloodworms cause a reaction but freshly
> >hatched bs or live bloodworms don't maybe the reaction is caused by a
> >agent which is added when the food items are prepared by the
> >distributor.  I am sure that Dr. Cooper could give some thoughts on this
> >problem.  With tubifex due to their enviroment I always told people to
> >be sure and be careful handling them and to always wash your hands after
> >feeding them.
> >
> >
> >Regards
> >
> >Al Baldwin AKA#00120
> >abaldwin at pioneeris_net
> >---------------


-- 
Wright Huntley, Fremont CA, USA, 510 494-8679  huntleyone at home dot com

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