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Using Single Sensillum Recording to Detect Olfactory Neuron Responses of Bed Bugs to Semiochemicals
Published on: January 18, 2016
Otitis from the common bedbug
Nevio Cimolai1, Tomas L Cimolai
1The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Children's and Women's Health Centre of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology
|January 2, 2013
Summary
A common bed bug (Cimex lectularius) infestation caused ear irritation in a patient. The nymphal parasite was removed, having fed on the ear
Area of Science:
- Medical Entomology
- Clinical Medicine
- Parasitology
Background:
- Cimex lectularius (common bed bug) is re-emerging globally.
- Increased prevalence in developed countries necessitates understanding its clinical impact.
- Bed bug infestations can cause various dermatological manifestations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of Cimex lectularius infestation within the human ear canal.
- To describe the clinical presentation and management of this unusual presentation.
- To highlight a novel variation of dermatological manifestations associated with bed bug infestations.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a patient presenting with ear irritation.
- Physical examination and removal of a foreign body from the ear canal.
- Identification of the foreign body as an engorged nymphal Cimex lectularius.
Main Results:
- A nymphal bed bug was successfully removed from the patient's ear canal.
- The parasite had fed on the tympanic membrane.
- The patient's condition resolved without complications.
Conclusions:
- Cimex lectularius can infest the external ear canal, causing irritation.
- This case presents a new variation of dermatological manifestations of bed bug infestation.
- The re-emergence of bed bugs warrants awareness of their potential clinical presentations.
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