Related Experiment Videos

Outbreak of pruritic rashes associated with mites--Kansas, 2004

    MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
    |October 1, 2005
    PubMed

    Insights

    A widespread pruritic rash outbreak in Kansas was caused by the microscopic itch mite, Pyemotes herfsi. Public health officials identified the mite and recommended prevention measures to reduce exposure.

    Area of Science:

    • Public Health
    • Entomology
    • Epidemiology

    Background:

    • In late August 2004, a pruritic rash outbreak was reported in Pittsburg, Kansas.
    • Cases rapidly spread to neighboring counties and states, prompting a public health investigation.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To identify the cause of the widespread pruritic rash.
    • To determine the extent of the outbreak in Crawford County, Kansas.

    Main Methods:

    • Public health agencies and entomologists collaborated on the investigation.
    • Microscopic examination was used to identify the causative agent.
    • Epidemiological data was collected to assess the outbreak's scope.

    Main Results:

    • The microscopic itch mite, Pyemotes herfsi, was identified as the likely cause.
    • An estimated 54% of the Crawford County population was affected by the rash.
    • Pyemotes herfsi was confirmed to be present in Kansas in August 2005.

    Conclusions:

    • Pyemotes herfsi is the probable cause of the 2004 pruritic rash outbreak.
    • Prevention measures, including DEET-containing products, are recommended for outdoor exposure.
    • Continued entomological surveillance is important for managing future outbreaks.

    Related Concept Videos

    Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever01:26

    Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

    Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.
    Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

    Skin Diseases and Disorders

    Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
    Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
    Smallpox01:24

    Smallpox

    Smallpox is a severe contagious disease caused by the Variola major virus, a double-stranded DNA member of the Poxviridae family.Variola major transmission occurs primarily via inhalation of virus-laden droplets or direct contact with infectious scabs. The incubation period averages approximately seven days, although it may range from 7 to 17 days depending on the inoculum and host factors.Clinically, the prodromal phase is marked by an abrupt onset of high fever, malaise, headache, and myalgia.
    Chickenpox01:20

    Chickenpox

    Chickenpox is an acute, highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the Herpesviridae family. Its transmission occurs primarily through the inhalation of respiratory droplets or direct contact with vesicular fluid from skin lesions. The incubation period typically ranges from 10 to 21 days, during which the virus replicates and disseminates through sequential phases within the host. Although generally self-limiting in children,...
    Staphylococcal Skin Infections01:29

    Staphylococcal Skin Infections

    Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
    American Trypanosomiasis01:22

    American Trypanosomiasis

    Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is a vector-borne parasitic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a flagellated protozoan (kinetoplastid) of the family Trypanosomatidae. The disease is endemic in Latin America, although cases are increasingly reported worldwide due to human migration. Transmission most commonly occurs when feces of infected triatomine bugs contaminate bite wounds or mucosal surfaces; additional routes include congenital, transfusional, transplant-related, and oral...