[What is your diagnosis? Bedbug sting reaction caused by Cimex lectularius (common bedbug)].
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High prevalence of bedbugs Cimex hemipterus and Cimex lectularis in camps for internally displaced persons in Freetown, Sierra Leone: a pilot humanitarian investigation.
The prevalence of bedbugs Cimex hemipera and C. lectularis was investigated in camps for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Two hundred and thirty eight rooms were searched during the day and at night, and 233 (98%) of those rooms in 30 booths were infested with different life cycle stages of bedbugs. There hundred and ninety-eight (68%) of the bedbugs were adults, 145 (24.8%) were nymphs of various instars, and 41 (7%) were clusters of eggs. Significantly (P > 0.05) more bedbugs were recovered during the night inspections 64.6% as compared to 35.4% during the day inspections. In addition, more adult bedbugs were recovered at night than during the day, a manifestation of their peak feeding period. Of the total of 570 adults and nymphs collected and identified, 320 (56.1%) and 250 (43.9%) were Cimex lectularis and Cimex hemipterus respectively. Clinical examination of 221 individuals living in the booths during 3 consecutive weeks of examinations and treatment for conditions suggestive of bedbug infestation (bites and skin reactions as well as treatments for other health and medical conditions) showed that 196 (86%) had wheals as a direct result of bedbug bites. The data of this pilot humanitarian investigation shows a high prevalence of bedbug infestation in these displacement camps. It is recommended that some control measures be instituted, like residual insecticide application along with integrating control methods within the primary health care system, because bedbugs are a source of great irritation and sleepless nights that could lead to stress.
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Pyrethroid resistance in tropical bedbugs, Cimex hemipterus, associated with use of treated bednets.
When Tanzanian villages were provided with pyrethroid-treated bednets, bedbugs (Cimicidae) disappeared; however, after about 6 years they have re-appeared in these villages. Using a newly devised test-kit, susceptibility tests of bedbugs Cimex hemipterus (Fabricius) from five of these villages showed that there is resistance to permethrin and alphacypermethrin in bedbugs from each of the villages, in contrast to those from five villages without treated nets. Circumstantial evidence indicates that bedbug resistance to pyrethroid insecticides may evolve more readily in villages with incomplete coverage rates of treated bednets, allowing bedbug infestations to become re-established. Bedbugs have not returned to a village where nearly all the beds have been provided with pyrethroid-treated bednets for 14 years.
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Hepatitis-B virus in bedbugs (Cimex hemipterus) from Senegal.
Bedbugs of the species Cimex hemipterus (F) were collected on four separate occasions from the bedding in the huts of village dwellers in Senegal, West Africa. Hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBSAg) was detected in unengorged nymph and adult bedbugs in each of the first three collections. 3 of 28 such specimens were HBSAg(+) in the first collection and 3 of 17 specimens were positive in the second collection. In the third, 6 of 9 were HBSAg(+) when the bed occupant was known to be HBSAg(+). 2 of these 6 positive insects did not contain human serum proteins. Bedbugs in the fourth collection were captured and kept alive without a blood meal for 30 days. 3 of 89 of these samples were HBSAg(+). These are the highest field infection-rates of hepatitis-B virus reported in any insect species. The bedbug must be considered a potential vector of hepatitis-B virus.
Adolescent↗
Persistence of hepatitis B surface antigen in the bedbug Cimex hemipterus (Fabr.).
The fate of hepatitis B virus in the bedbug was investigated to assess this insect's potential as a vector. Colony-reared Cimex hemipterus (Fabr.) were fed once on blood positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The insects were sampled at intervals thereafter and tested for HBsAg by radioimmunoassay. HBsAg persisted for up to six weeks in the bedbug's body after a single HBsAg-positive meal, during which time several further HBsAg-negative blood meals were taken. This result explains the high rates of field infection in bedbugs and further supports the hypothesis that bedbugs may play a role in transmission of hepatitis B virus.
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Assessment of hepatitis B virus DNA and hepatitis C virus RNA in the common bedbug (Cimex lectularius L.) and kissing bug (Rodnius prolixus).
OBJECTIVE: Historical clinical studies suggest the potential for insect-borne transmission of human hepatitis viruses. Studies of hepatitis B virus (HBV) persistence in insects were performed before the advent of molecular techniques, and studies to assess possible insect-borne transmission of hepatitis viruses have not yet been performed. The aim of this study was to determine, using molecular techniques, whether HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) persist in and are excreted in the feces of the bedbug Cimex lectularius L. and kissing bug Rodnius prolixus after an infectious meal. METHODS: Blood-feeding insects from the insect order Hemiptera (Cimex lectularius L. and Rhodnius prolixus) were fed on blood from infected patients with high titers of HBV, HCV, and control uninfected patients. Insects and insect excrement were collected at weekly intervals and tested for HBV DNA and HCV RNA using the polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: HBV DNA was detected in bedbugs and excrement up to 6 wk after feeding on an infectious meal. HBV DNA was also detected in most kissing bugs and excrement up to 2 wk after feeding. HCV RNA was not detected in bedbugs at any time after feeding. CONCLUSIONS: We did not detect HCV RNA in bedbugs after feeding on an infectious meal. Our data provide molecular evidence to suggest that HBV may persist in Hemiptera. Additional studies are ongoing to determine whether this viral persistence is capable of infection.
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Experimental assessment of bedbugs (Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus) and mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti formosus) as vectors of human immunodeficiency virus.
In vitro experiments were conducted to assess whether bedbugs (Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus) and mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti formosus) could act as vectors of HIV. These insects engorged through a membrane on a blood-virus mixture. Female bedbugs were larger than males and took larger blood-meals when fed to repletion. It was determined that the full blood-meal of a female bedbug contained 0.09 x 10(5) tissue culture infectious doses (TCID) of virus and a male 0.07 x 10(5) TCID, while partial meals taken when feeding was interrupted contained 0.013 x 10(5) TCID and 0.015 x 10(5) TCID for female and male bugs, respectively. Reverse transcriptase activity was assayed after culture of insect extracts in H9 cells: this showed survival of virus in C. lectularius for up to 4 h, in C. hemipterus for up to 1, possibly 2 h, but no survival in Ae. aegypti formosus. Four attempts to transmit the virus by interrupted feeding by C. lectularius from a blood-virus mixture to uninfected blood failed. It is concluded that Ae. aegypti formosus and probably other mosquitoes are not mechanical vectors of HIV and that such transmission is also unlikely to occur in bedbugs under natural conditions.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
Diagnosis and management of bedbugs: an emerging U.S. Infestation.
Bedbug infestations are on the rise in the United States among people of all socioeconomic groups. Bedbug bites typically cause pruritic wheals with central punctum on exposed skin, which are noted upon awakening. The diagnosis is confirmed by identifying fecal smears and blood spots on the bed linens and mattress or by identifying the culprit bug. Extermination of bedbugs using cleaning techniques and pesticides is necessary to prevent recurrence.
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Susceptibility of the bedbug, Cimex lectularius, to selected insecticides and various treated surfaces.
Adult bedbugs, Cimex lectularius, were exposed for 24 h (25 degrees C) to filter paper treated with various dilutions of the technical grade of nine insecticides dissolved in acetone to determine the concentration-response relationships. The order of toxicity, from most to least based on the LC50's was: dichlorvos, pirimiphos methyl, lambda-cyhalothrin, bendiocarb, permethrin, malathion, carbaryl, tetrachlorvinphos, and fenvalerate. The residual toxicities of commercial formulations of six of the chemicals diluted with water and applied to wood, cardboard, cloth and galvanized metal, were determined by exposing adult bedbugs at 3, 7 and 12 weeks after treatment. The formulation of bendiocarb (FICAM 76% W) had little residual activity on all surfaces at 12 weeks after treatment. The formulation of carbaryl (SEVIN 21.5% L) was toxic to bedbugs on all surfaces at 12 weeks after treatment, but required high concentrations on wood, cardboard, and cloth. The formulation of pirimiphos methyl (ACTELLIC 57% EC) had no residual activity on any of the surfaces at 12 weeks after treatment. The formulation of tetrachlorovinphos (RABON 50% W) had residual activity for 12 weeks on all surfaces except metal. The formulation of permethrin (ATROBAN 11% EC) had residual activity on only metal and wood while the formulation of lambda-cyhalothrin (KARATE 13.1% EC) had residual activity 12 weeks on all surfaces.
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The return of the common bedbug.
The incidence of skin disease secondary to infestation with the human bedbug, Cimex lectularius, has increased dramatically in the United States and in the United Kingdom. We describe a child with a recurrent pruritic eruption of urticarial, erythematous papules on the face, neck, and extremities. The etiology of her cutaneous lesions was discovered to be a bedbug infestation in the home. The epidemiology, entomology, presentation, and treatment of bedbugs and their bites are discussed.
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Do bedbugs transmit hepatitis B?
An intervention study was done over two years in seven Gambian villages to determine the contribution of bedbugs to hepatitis B transmission. In addition, fortnightly questionnaires were completed for each child to assess other possible routes of transmission. The intervention, insecticide spraying of the child's dwelling, was highly effective in reducing exposure to bedbugs but there was no effect on hepatitis B infection. No other risk factor for transmission was identified despite a consistent village-to-village variation in the rate of childhood infection. The major mode of transmission of hepatitis B in childhood remains unknown.
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A matter of taste: direct detection of female mating status in the bedbug.
Males of the bedbug, Cimex lectularius, traumatically inseminate females by inserting a needle-like intromittent organ (penis) through the female's abdominal wall after she has fed. We demonstrate that: (i) mating duration determines ejaculate size; (ii) a female's first copulation in a bout of copulations always lasts longer than subsequent copulations; (iii) the intromittent organ bears sensillae; (iv) males use their intromittent organ to 'taste' whether their current mate has recently copulated; and (v) the consequence of detecting female mating status is the reduction of copulation duration and ejaculate size. We discuss why male bedbugs might show this pattern of ejaculate-size adjustment.
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Reducing a cost of traumatic insemination: female bedbugs evolve a unique organ.
The frequent wounding of female bedbugs (Cimex lectularius: Cimicidae) during copulation has been shown to decrease their fitness, but how females have responded to this cost in evolutionary terms is unclear. The evolution of a unique anatomical structure found in female bedbugs, the spermalege, into which the male's intromittent organ passes during traumatic insemination, is a possible counteradaptation to harmful male traits. Several functions have been proposed for this organ, and we test two hypotheses related to its role in sexual conflict. We examine the hypotheses that the spermalege functions to (i) defend against pathogens introduced during traumatic insemination; and (ii) reduce the costs of wound healing during traumatic insemination. Our results support the 'defence against pathogens' hypothesis, suggesting that the evolution of this unique cimicid organ resulted, at least partly, from selection to reduce the costs of mating-associated infection. We found no evidence that the spermalege reduces the costs of wound healing.
Animal Structures↗
The effects on domestic infestations of Cimex lectularius bedbugs of interspecific mating with C. hemipterus.
Interspecific mating between male Cimex hemipterus and female C. lectularius bedbugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) occurs freely in the laboratory, even when many female C. hemipterus are available. Longevity and fertile egg production of female C. lectularius are reduced by mating with male C. hemipterus. In KwaZulu, South Africa, a correlation exists between the percentage of C. lectularius females which are interspecifically mated and the predominance of C. hemipterus in mixed domestic infestations of these bedbugs. When C. hemipterus constitutes over 75% of the infestation, the majority of C. lectularius females lay only sterile eggs.
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Kaeng Khoi virus from naturally infected bedbugs (cimicidae) and immature free-tailed bats.
Kaeng Khoi virus was recovered from bedbugs (Stricticimex parvus and Cimex insuetus) and from suckling wrinkle-lipped bats (Tadarida plicata) collected in central Thailand. The data implicate bedbugs as possible vectors of this virus.
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Patients with papular urticaria have IgG antibodies to bedbug (Cimex lectularius) antigens.
IgG and IgE against salivary gland proteins of bedbug (Cimex lectularius) were assessed in comparison with mosquito (Culex pipiens) and flea (Pulex irritans) antigens in the sera of papular urticaria patients (group I), siblings without papular urticaria (group IIa), patients' parents (group IIb), and healthy controls (group III) (Immunoblotting). Anti-C. lectularius IgG was significantly recognized at 66 and 10 kDa in 40% of group I, besides others ranging from 45 to 107 kDa. Group IIa significantly reacted with 70 kDa (57.1%). Group IIb reacted with 21 and 8.5 kDa (26.7%). Sixty percent of group IIb and 100% of group III significantly identified a band of 12.5 kDa. IgG against C. pipiens was significantly recognized at a range of 18-105 kDa in group I, IIb (115, 7 kDa), and III (58, 50 kDa). Anti-P. irritans IgG was significantly recognized by group I (100, 70 kDa) and group IIa (60, 35 kDa). IgE response was confined to C. pipiens at 115 and 54 kDa in groups I and III, respectively, besides 68 and 58 kDa in group IIa. It is concluded that IgG is present against C. lectularius, C. pipiens, and P. irritans in papular urticaria and may contribute to its pathogenesis.
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The common bedbug Cimex lectularius in African huts.
The size and life-stage structure of heavy infestations of C. lectularius in Zulu huts were determined. The presence of more than one person in a hut at night, and control measures attempted by hut owners were found not to influence bedbug numbers significantly.
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The occurrence of the bedbugs Cimex hemipterus and Cimex lectularius in northern Natal and KwaZulu, South Africa.
Two species of anthropophilic bedbugs, Cimex lectularius and C. hemipterus, infest dwellings in KwaZulu, the known range of the latter extending to 28 degrees 15'S. C. hemipterus is the more common species in KwaZulu north of 27 degrees 15'. The pattern of distribution of C. hemipterus in South Africa is consistent with the species requiring a tropical climate, being a more recent invader than C. lectularius, and being able to thrive sympatrically with the latter species.
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