Ocular manifestations due to econda (Paederus sabaeus)

Ophthalmomyiasis Externa and Importance of Risk Factors, Clinical Manifestations, and Diagnosis: Review of the Medical Literature

OBJECTIVE

This review aims to describe and compare the risk factors, clinical course, diagnosis, and parasitologic features of external ophthalmomyiasis. We also discuss the different preventive measures and the effect of global warming in a large case series reported from January 2000 to December 2022.

METHODS

We perform a literature review of reported cases of external ophthalmomyiasis to determine the clinical characteristics, therapeutic management, and information on the organisms that most commonly cause external ophthalmomyiasis.

RESULTS

A total of 312 cases of external ophthalmomyiasis were recorded. The most common causative organism was Oestrus ovis (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Oestridae), accounting for 72.1% of cases, followed by Dermatobia hominis (Linnaeus Jr. in Pallas, 1781) (Diptera: Oestridae) at 5.4%, Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) at 0.96%, and Chrysomyia bezziana (Villeneuve) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) at 0.96%. Before experiencing symptoms, 43.6% of cases reported having direct contact with flies or being hit in the eye, 33% reported no associated risk factors, 9.3% reported living with sheep and goats, and 7.7% reported a history of foreign objects entering the eye. The most common symptoms for those affected by O. ovis were sudden onset, including a foreign body sensation and movement, redness, tearing, itching, swelling, irritation, photophobia, burning, and ocular secretion. In cases caused by D. hominis, symptoms included eyelid edema, pain, redness, itching, movement within the lesion, ocular irritation, and discharge. Regarding occupational or recreational activity, agriculture, and livestock had the highest incidence, followed by trades and technical activities, being a student, and having traveled to an endemic region for work or recreation.

CONCLUSION

Patients with red eyes may suffer from external ophthalmomyiasis, which requires a thorough examination to diagnose and treat it early. Moreover, as the temperature increases due to climate change, it is essential to consider how this will affect the spread of different pathogens.

Paederus Dermatitis Outbreak in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Case-Control Study

Background

Paederus dermatitis is an irritant contact dermatitis caused by crushing insects of the genus Paederus, which releases a vesicant toxin called pederin. On July 28, 2018, the district health office received a report of cases with erythema, itching, and burning after contact with the Paederus insect. In response, we investigated the outbreak intending to describe, confirm, and identify the risk factors associated with the country's first reported outbreak.

Methods

A community-based unmatched case-control study was conducted from August 10 to 22, 2018. Two hundred twenty-five (75 cases and 150 controls) study participants were involved in the study. Cases were defined as Bole subcity residents who had acute contact dermatitis after contact with the insect, while controls were persons who did not have contact with the insect. Cases were recruited consecutively as they present, whereas controls were selected by the neighborhood sampling method. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for the data collection, and multiple logistic regression was applied to determine the independent risk factors. The results were expressed as adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

A total of 122 cases were reported from the three districts of the subcity. The mean age of cases and controls was 23.6 (SD ± 16.4) and 29.4 (SD ± 10.9) years, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of outdoor light (AOR = 5.1; 95% CI (2.5, 10.9), presence of rotten leaves (AOR = 6.4; 95% CI (2.9, 15.7)), sleeping on the floor (AOR = 6.1; 95% CI (2.5, 15.7)), wearing protective clothing (AOR = 0.2; 95% CI (0.1, 0.4)), and use of insect repellant (AOR = 0.1; 95% CI (0.0, 0.4)) were significantly associated with Paederus dermatitis outbreak.

Conclusion

The investigation identified exposure to artificial light and the presence of rotten leaves around the residential area as important factors leading to an increase in the odds of Paederus dermatitis. In contrast, the use of insect repellant and wearing protective clothing were shown to provide protection. The investigation determined that reducing burning outdoor lights, cleaning excess vegetation, avoiding sleeping on the floor, using insect repellants, and wearing protective clothing can reduce the risk of contracting Paederus dermatitis.

An Unwanted Kiss by Charlie Beetle: An Unusual Case Report

Pederin, a vesicant chemical and one of the most powerful animal toxins in the world, is produced by an endosymbiont bacteria (Pseudomonas spp) found on the beetle Paederus fuscipes. This small, red- and black-striped beetle is also commonly known as the Charlie or rove beetle. Accidental contact with skin causes Paederus dermatitis, with the clinical presentation ranging from mild dermatitis to more severe vesiculobullous lesions. We report a rare case of severe lip destruction caused by the Charlie beetle in a 24-year-old man. Treatment involved intravenous antibiotics in addition to local wound debridement. The thinner stratum corneum on the lips and close proximity to the oral cavity could have resulted in the severe tissue destruction encountered.

Dermatitis Due to Paederus Colombinus: Report of an Epidemic Outbreak of 68 Cases in the Province of Darien, Panama

Introduction

Contact dermatitis due to Paederus is a particular form of accident by animal contact. It is characterized by the sudden onset of erythematous and vesicular lesions with burning sensation on exposed areas of the body. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical findings of an outbreak of Paederus dermatitis in Panama.

Methods

Clinical and epidemiological findings of an outbreak of contact dermatitis caused by Paederus sp. in the province of Darien in eastern Panama is reported. After reviewing the clinical records, a clinical-epidemiological questionnaire was developed and used in 20 communities where reported cases were found. We captured and collected the specimens for species characterization for three consecutive days using three different methods of capture.

Results

During May-July, 2014, 68 cases of Paederus irritant contact dermatitis occurred in 20 communities of the Darien. Fifty-three percent were females. The age group of zero to five years had the highest number of cases, 15 (22%). The most common clinical presentation was the classical linear dermatitis (58%); 42% of the subjects had mirror image lesions, multiple vesicular-pustular lesions, and crust lesions. Symptoms were most commonly reported as a burning sensation (65%), followed by pruritus in 60%, pain (25%), and fever (nine percent). A total of 81 specimens of Paederus were collected, 68% in peridomiciliary areas.

Conclusions

This Paederus sp. dermatitis report represents one of the largest outbreak described in Latin America and the diagnosis could be confused with others skin diseases like pyodermitis or other contact dermatitis.

Attraction factors for Paederus fuscipes ' dispersal, a vector of Paederus dermatitis towards human residential premises

Paederus fuscipes, a vector of Paederus dermatitis in most tropical and subtropical countries of the world have a high prevalence in human dwellings due to their positively phototaxic behaviour which has caused a tremendous impact on human health. In this paper, P. fuscipes dispersal flights were studied for two seasons of the rice cultivation phases in residential premises built close to rice field areas (≈32-60 m and 164 m) in mainland Penang, Malaysia. We examined the effects of different light illuminance, building floor level and their association with rice stages as a focal cause of P. fuscipes dispersion from the rice fields towards human dwellings. The present study showed a significant interaction between different light illuminances and rice cultivation phases in attracting P. fuscipes to disperse and invade human dwellings. The highest number of P. fuscipes was captured near the bright light. P. fuscipes flights increased in line with each floor level, and the highest captures took place at higher building floor levels (levels 2 and 3) compared to lower building floor levels (ground floor and level 1) of a three storey apartment in both rice seasons. This finding not only conveys a better understanding on P. fuscipes dispersal pattern, but also draws public attention on the occurrence of dermatitis linearis caused by the Paederus beetles.

Literature review of the causes, treatment, and prevention of dermatitis linearis

BACKGROUND

Dermatitis linearis is a skin condition that affects both local populations and travelers alike. Dermatitis linearis is caused by some beetles within the subtribe Paederina and manifests as painful lesions, blisters and intense itching. Though outbreaks are widespread, the condition as a whole still remains relatively unknown.

METHODS

An extensive search of the existing Paederus literature was conducting in order to elucidate relevant information regarding the occurrence of outbreaks, seasonality, exposure and symptom onset, and management of dermatitis linearis. Special consideration was given to behavioral and environmental factors.

RESULTS

Epidemics of dermatitis linearis are most commonly observed during the rainy season or after particularly hot and humid weather patterns. Symptom onset is typically delayed 6-48 h after exposure. The most common symptoms are stinging, burning and itching, with later development of erythematous plaques and blisters. Though symptoms of dermatitis linearis resolve spontaneously, wet compresses, antihistamines and topical steroid ointments and lotions are recommended to alleviate symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Dermatitis linearis in travelers and local populations can be prevented through minimizing or modifying sources of artificial light, using pesticide-treated nets near beds and lights, general housekeeping and vegetation maintenance, and by raising awareness regarding the conditions caused by Paederus.

[Vesicular contact dermatitis due to Paederus in Cameroon and review of the literature]

This irritant blister dermatitis is caused by the genus Paederus whose geographical distribution is worldwide, with a higher incidence in tropical areas. It is induced by direct skin contact with pederin, a blistering and caustic substance found in the abdomen (coelome) of Paederus insects (insect order Coleoptera: family Staphylinidae). The diagnosis is based on the presence of typical clinical features combined with compatible epidemiological features. Our goal is to describe the epidemiological and clinical features of this irritant contact dermatitis in Cameroon through a retrospective study conducted at the end of the rainy season at the Oku Hospital in Northwest Cameroon and to also include cases reported at the medical center of the French Embassy in Yaounde during this same timeframe. In addition, we conducted a literature review of paederus dermatitis. Nineteen patients were included in this study. More than half of the patients presented with more than two lesions predominantly localized to the face or the neck; less than half had complications manifesting as either localized or respiratory reactions and three patients presented periorbital involvement. This study confirms the presence of paederus dermatitis in Cameroon. It is mainly localized in the unusual geoclimatic region of the western high mountains within the country, as well as the usual warm, moist areas of Yaounde. The clinical evolution of this dermatitis is usually one of spontaneous and uneventful resolution with complications being rare. Curative treatment is one of localized topical therapies while oral antibiotic therapy should be reserved for more complicated cases.