Serum from a subset of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and large local reactions to mosquito bites induces upregulation of CD63 surface expression on basophils in atopic donors

Reactions to mosquito bites are immunological reactions that are due to sensitization to mosquito salivary proteins. Large local reactions (LLRs) are areas of erythema and swelling from 2 to over 10 cm, which develop within a few hours of the bite, progress over 8–12 h, and resolve in 3–10 d [Figure 1(A) LLRs are painful and may cause significant distress. They seldom occur in adults, however, certain adult populations have increased prevalence of LLRs including those with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Data suggest that prevalence in CLL varies between 2 and 45%...