Bedbugs: how to diagnose and manage cases of infestations.

Bedbugs are on the rise in urban populations across the world, perhaps reflecting the ban on the use of organophosphates in many countries worldwide. They are flat obligate haematophagous insects, preferring humans, and as a consequence the bedbug bites lack toxins and can often go unnoticed for some time. Bites can, however, cause weals, purpura, petechiae, vesicles, pustules, papular urticaria, localized infection and rarely anaphylaxis. Infestations have to be confirmed by finding the bugs, usually around the bed of the person being bitten. Eradication usually requires a combination of physical (for example high temperature, mattresses protectors, traps, cold) and chemical methods (for example chrysanthemic acid derivatives plus potentiators such as geraniol and piperonyl butoxide or acetylcholine esterase inhibitors).

Efectividad de Beauveria bassiana (Baubassil®) sobre la garrapata común del ganado bovino Rhipicephalus microplus en el Departamento de la Guajira, Colombia / Effectiveness of Beauveria bassiana (Baubassil®) on the common cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus in the Department of Guajira, Colombia

Se evaluó la efectividad de Baubassil® (Beauveria bassiana) sobre la garrapata Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. En la fase in vitro, se determinaron la temperatura óptima de germinación del hongo mediante microcultivos a 25, 30 y 35° C, y la mortalidad de las garrapatas. En campo, en un diseño aleatorio, se utilizaron 30 vacas cebuinas; 15 vacas se trataron con Baubassil® una vez por semana con 1 x 10(6) conidias/ml y un grupo control se dejó sin tratamiento. Se observó que a temperaturas de 25, 30 y 35 °C, la germinación del entomopató-geno fue del 97,5, el 94,7 y el 6,3%, respectivamente. En los animales tratados con Baubassil® se obtuvo una efectividad corregida del 96,8%. En el Caribe Seco, Baubassil® constituiría una alternativa de control del ectoparásito, pues no existen registros anteriores en La Guajira del control sostenible de esta garrapata.

The effectiveness of Baubassil® (Beauveria bassiana) on the tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus was evaluated. In the in vitro phase, the optimal germination temperature of the fungus was determined by microcultures at 25, 30 and 35 °C and the mortality of ticks. In the field, in a randomized design, 30 cebuine cows; 15 cows were treated with Baubassil® once a week at a 1 x 10(6) conidia/ml, and a control group was left untreated. It was observed that at temperatures of 25, 30 and 35 °C, germination of the entomopathogen was 97.5, 94.7 and 6.3%, respectively. In animals treated with Baubassil® obtained a corrected effectiveness of 96.8% on ticks in the fifth week of application. The use of Baubassil® would be a valid alternative for controlling the cattle tick under the agroecological conditions of the Dry Caribbean.

[Effectiveness of Beauveria bassiana (Baubassil®) on the common cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus in the Department of Guajira, Colombia]. / Efectividad de Beauveria bassiana (Baubassil®) sobre la garrapata común del ganado bovino Rhipicephalus microplus en el Departamento de la Guajira, Colombia.

The effectiveness of Baubassil®(Beauveria bassiana) on the tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus was evaluated. In the in vitro phase, the optimal germination temperature of the fungus was determined by microcultures at 25, 30 and 35°C and the mortality of ticks. In the field, in a randomized design, 30 cebuine cows; 15 cows were treated with Baubassil® once a week at a 1×106 conidia/ml, and a control group was left untreated. It was observed that at temperatures of 25, 30 and 35°C, germination of the entomopathogen was 97.5, 94.7 and 6.3%, respectively. In animals treated with Baubassil® obtained a corrected effectiveness of 96.8% on ticks in the fifth week of application. The use of Baubassil® would be a valid alternative for controlling the cattle tick under the agroecological conditions of the Dry Caribbean.

Bedbugs: Helping your patient through an infestation.

Bedbugs--hematophagous parasitic arthropods of the genus Cimex--have been unwelcome bedfellows for humans for thousands of years. With increases in population density, ease of travel, and insecticide resistance, bedbugs have reemerged. As a result, physicians are often at the forefront in the diagnosis and treatment of bedbug infestation. This review summarizes the biology and epidemiology of bedbugs and provides details on the diagnosis and treatment of bedbug infestation.

Negative suction approach to remove living leeches from the nasal cavity.

OBJECTIVE: To explore a method for removing a living leech from the nasal cavity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 5 patients with nasal leech were examined. Nasal endoscopy revealed the presence of a wriggling leech in the nasal cavities of each of these patients. A negative suction tube with an inner diameter of 3 mm and a negative pressure of 30-40 kp was used to remove these leeches. In each case, this suction tube was aimed at the free end of the leech, and the leech was gradually and slowly sucked into the tube. The suckers of the removed leeches were examined to ensure that no leech fragments remained within each patient. RESULTS: In all 5 cases, the intact leech was successfully removed. No surgical complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The negative suction method can successfully remove nasal leeches.

[Common tropical infections with protozoans, worms and ectoparasites]. / Tropendermatologisch relevante Protozoeninfektionen, Wurmerkrankungen und Epizoonosen.

Infectious diseases of the skin have become rarer in industrialized nations, but they still affect a considerable part of the population in tropical regions. Skin diseases induced by protozoa, worms and ectoparasites are among the 17 "neglected tropical diseases" defined by the WHO (leishmaniasis, dracunculiasis, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis). Skin symptoms in travellers returning from the tropics may challenge dermatologists in Germany regarding differential diagnostic assessment and therapy. Among the 12 most frequent skin diseases in travellers are cutaneous larva migrans, leishmaniasis and myiasis. In this review, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of some the most relevant tropical dermatoses due to protozoa, worms and ectoparasites are discussed.

Furuncular myiasis in 2 American travelers returning from Senegal.

Furuncular myiasis caused by Cordylobia anthropophaga larvae is commonly seen in Africa but rarely is diagnosed in travelers returning from the sub-Saharan region. We report 2 cases of furuncular myiasis due to Cordylobia species in adolescent American travelers returning from Senegal.

Bedbug infestation.

The significant resurgence of bedbugs in the past decade has been attributed to pesticide resistance, more frequent travel, lack of public awareness, and inadequate pest control programs. Bedbugs are obligate blood parasites (insect family Cimicidae). They can withstand a large range of temperatures but are attracted to warmth and carbon dioxide. They typically feed just before dawn. Cutaneous reactions to bedbug bites can include macules, papules, wheals, vesicles, bullae, and nodules. Bites may be confused with other skin conditions. Bedbug bite reactions are typically self-limited and resolve within one to two weeks without treatment. Bedbug infestation may cause significant psychological distress. The diagnosis of a bedbug infestation is based on history, appearance of bites, and inspection of sleeping quarters. Although there is no evidence that bedbugs transmit disease, systemic reactions may include asthma, angioedema, generalized urticaria, iron deficiency anemia, and, rarely, anaphylaxis. An integrated pest management strategy should be employed to eliminate infestation. Tactics include vacuuming, heat or cold treatment, trapping devices, and pesticides.

The moth Hylesia metabus and French Guiana lepidopterism: centenary of a public health concern.

The females of the moths Hylesia metabus have their abdomens covered by urticating hairs looking like micro-arrows and causing a puriginous dermatitis to humans known as "papillonite" in French Guiana and also called yellowtail moth dermatitis or Caripito itch. The densities of the moths show great seasonal and annual variations depending on mechanisms mostly unknown. When H. metabus infestations occur, numerous cases of dermatologic manifestations are reported from people living near the mangrove swamps where the moths are developing. One hundred years after the first "papillonite" epidemic reported from French Guiana in 1912, the data presented herein summarize the actual state of knowledge on H. metabus biology and ecology and on the lepidopterism. Some recommendations are proposed for the surveillance and warning systems of H. metabus infestations and to avoid contact with the moths. Research priorities are suggested to improve the control against this problem emerging between nuisance and public health.

Dermatologic infestations.

Head lice are transmitted by head to head contact. Optimal therapy includes malathion lotion 0.5% repeated in one week left on for 30 minutes to 8 hours. Spinosad topical suspension 0.9% repeated in one week left on for 10 minutes is another option. Scabies is transmitted mainly by direct contact but also via heavily infested fomites due to crusted scabies. Permethrin 5% cream to the body repeated in four days is often sufficient; however, scalp treatment with malathion lotion 0.5% is helpful in crusted scabies and in infested children. Oral ivermectin 200 mcg/kg is another option, repeated in four days. For scabies more than lice, fomites should be placed in a drier at 60 °C for 10 minutes to kill the arthropods. Treatment of close contacts in both cases will control outbreaks and repeated infestations. Both have been associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection. Bed bugs are a common cause for papular urticaria. Identification of the insect in the mattress or bedding confirms the diagnosis. Prevention involves encasing the mattress in a sealed plastic cover and extermination. Delusions of parasitosis is a diagnosis of exclusion that is best treated with an antipsychotic.

Bed bugs can cause severe anaemia in adults.

A 60-year-old woman and her 67-year-old male partner, admitted for pneumonia and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction, respectively, had severe anaemia (Hb 5.3 and 5.2 g/dL, respectively), as a result from massive infestation with Cimex lectularius. After two erythrocyte transfusions and thorough decontamination, their clinical course was unremarkable.

Technical note: Modifying Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) jumping behavior to facilitate innovation of parasitic sea lice control techniques.

Industrial salmon farms are reservoirs of parasitic sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis and Caligus spp.), which causes both production inefficiencies and contributes to population-level declines of wild salmon and trout. Current control methods vary in effect and stimulate controversy by the discharge of chemicals into the environment. An alternate control method uses a thin, chemical-infused oil layer on the sea surface. As farmed salmon jump through the surface, the treatment makes contact with the lipophilic carapace of sea lice and kills them. To enhance the effectiveness of this method, we tested whether the natural jumping behavior of salmon could be increased and directed. In a 2,000-m(3) experimental sea-cage, we removed the ability of groups of salmon to access the surface for different periods (0 to 48 h) and measured their surface behaviors after the surface became accessible again. Surface removal for 24 and 48 h induced 93% of salmon to jump in the 2 h after surface access was reinstated, a result that differed (P < 0.001) from the shorter duration (0 to 12 h) treatments. Salmon without surface access for 24 and 48 h jumped 2 to 3 times more often (P < 0.001), and made their first jump 2 to 3 times sooner (P = 0.003) on average after surface access became available than salmon in the shorter duration treatments. Our results indicate that removal of surface access for short periods may lead to loss of air from the physostomous swim bladder and cause negative buoyancy. This creates a behavioral drive for salmon to jump, swallow air and fill their swim bladders once surface access is reinstated. By combining the increased jumping behavior induced by this technique with a floating, oil-infused treatment, efficiency of sea lice treatments may be improved and treatment chemicals can be re-collected, thus decreasing environmental pollution.

[Protozoons and arthropods found in eyes]. / Göze Yerlesen Protozoon ve Artropodlar.

Protozoons and arthropods can be observed commonly all around the world including our country. These parasites can cause different kind of disorders in human and animals. Some of these can cause eye disorders. The aim of this review was to present information about how the protozoons such as Toxoplasma gondii, Leishmania spp., Trypanosoma spp., Giardia spp., Acanthamoeba spp., Plasmodium spp., the arthropods insects of myiasis, Phthirus pubis, ticks, Demodex folliculorum and Linguatula serrata (under discussion as to which order it beongs) invade the eye of host leading to clinical symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.