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Pyemotes ventricosus dermatitis, southeastern France.
Pascal Del Giudice1, Véronique Blanc-Amrane, Philippe Bahadoran
1Unité de Maladies Infectieuses et Dermatologie, Hôpital Bonnet, Fréjus, France. del-giudice-p@chi-frejus-saint-raphael.fr
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|November 4, 2008
Summary
A mite infestation caused unusual itchy dermatitis in 42 patients in France. The parasite Pyemotes ventricosus, found on furniture beetles, was identified as the cause of the "comet sign" skin condition.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Parasitology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Unusual pruritic dermatitis cases were observed in southeastern France.
- A distinct clinical sign, termed the "comet sign," was associated with the dermatitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the causative agent of the pruritic dermatitis and associated "comet sign."
- To investigate the link between the condition and the living environment.
Main Methods:
- Clinical investigation of 42 patients presenting with pruritic dermatitis and the "comet sign."
- Environmental assessment of 23 affected households in southeastern France.
- Identification of the etiological agent responsible for the outbreak.
Main Results:
- Pyemotes ventricosus, a mite parasite, was identified as the cause of the dermatitis.
- The mite is a known parasite of the furniture beetle, Anobium punctatum.
- The outbreak occurred between May and September 2007.
Conclusions:
- Pyemotes ventricosus infestation can cause significant pruritic dermatitis in humans.
- The "comet sign" is a specific clinical marker for this type of mite-induced dermatitis.
- Environmental factors and the presence of furniture beetles can contribute to mite outbreaks.
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