pederin and Dermatitis--Irritant

This irritant blister dermatitis is caused by the genus Paederus whose geographical distribution is worldwide, with a higher incidence in tropical areas. It is induced by direct skin contact with pederin, a blistering and caustic substance found in the abdomen (coelome) of Paederus insects (insect order Coleoptera: family Staphylinidae). The diagnosis is based on the presence of typical clinical features combined with compatible epidemiological features. Our goal is to describe the epidemiological and clinical features of this irritant contact dermatitis in Cameroon through a retrospective study conducted at the end of the rainy season at the Oku Hospital in Northwest Cameroon and to also include cases reported at the medical center of the French Embassy in Yaounde during this same timeframe. In addition, we conducted a literature review of paederus dermatitis. Nineteen patients were included in this study. More than half of the patients presented with more than two lesions predominantly localized to the face or the neck; less than half had complications manifesting as either localized or respiratory reactions and three patients presented periorbital involvement. This study confirms the presence of paederus dermatitis in Cameroon. It is mainly localized in the unusual geoclimatic region of the western high mountains within the country, as well as the usual warm, moist areas of Yaounde. The clinical evolution of this dermatitis is usually one of spontaneous and uneventful resolution with complications being rare. Curative treatment is one of localized topical therapies while oral antibiotic therapy should be reserved for more complicated cases.

Topics: Altitude; Animals; Cameroon; Coleoptera; Dermatitis, Irritant; Diagnosis, Differential; Ecosystem; Humans; Irritants; Lymphocytes; Necrosis; Pyrans; Seasons

Paederus dermatitis (PD), which is an irritant contact dermatitis, is common throughout the world and caused by rove beetles.. To assess the clinical features of PD and the level of knowledge of patients from the city of Batman and surrounding areas who presented with the condition.. We describe 57 patients who presented to our dermatology clinic in the city of Batman between May 2011 and October 2011. Sociodemographic data were collected for all the patients, and their level of knowledge about the disease was assessed with a detailed questionnaire.. Fifty-seven patients, of whom 36 (63%) were men and 21 (37%) were women, were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 24.2 years. The peak time of presentation was August. The neck and the chest were the most common sites of involvement. Clinically, the most common presentation consisted of papulo-pustules on an erythematous base. The most frequent complaints were burning and stinging sensations (66.7%). Only three patients (5%) thought that contact with insects could lead to the disease.. PD is an important public health problem when it is seen epidemically. The public's awareness about the cause of the disease is very low. Knowledge about the clinical features of PD and the emergence of epidemics will prevent misdiagnosis by physicians. Increasing the level of knowledge of people about the cause of the disease and about the behavioural patterns of the insect are important in terms of disease prevention.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Animals; Child; Child, Preschool; Coleoptera; Dermatitis, Irritant; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pyrans; Surveys and Questionnaires; Toxins, Biological; Turkey; Young Adult

Outbreaks of paederus dermatitis (PD) have been observed in different parts of the world, yet the histopathological and ultrastructural changes and their relationship to pederin toxin have not been described.. To describe the clinical presentations of PD in Egypt and to study the effects of pederin toxin on the skin by evaluating the histopathological and ultrastructural changes of some representative cases.. One hundred and thirteen patients with PD were studied clinically and epidemiologically. Skin biopsies were taken from 40 patients for histopathological examination and from 20 patients for electron microscopic (EM) examination.. Clinically, the most common presentation comprised erythematous plaques with micropustules. Blisters exhibited a linear configuration in 40% of the patients and kissing lesions were observed in 13%. Multiple lesions occurred in 78% of the patients and the face was the most commonly involved site (48%). The insect was identified as Paederus alfierii. Histopathological examination revealed features of acute irritant dermatitis in the upper epidermis. Mitotic figures and apoptotic changes such as chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation were identified in the basal and suprabasal layers. These features were confirmed by EM.. Clinical, histopathological and, for the first time, ultrastructural characteristics of paederus dermatitis are described. The pathological abnormalities of the upper epidermis are caused by the irritant effect of pederin toxin. The presence of apoptosis within the lower epidermis can be related to this toxin, a point that needs further research, hoping for its future implications in the management of hyperproliferative disorders.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Animals; Apoptosis; Biopsy; Child; Child, Preschool; Coleoptera; Dermatitis, Irritant; Egypt; Epidermis; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Middle Aged; Pyrans; Retrospective Studies; Toxins, Biological

Outbreaks of Paederus dermatitis have been reported in several Asia-Pacific countries when rove beetles (genus Paederus) are accidentally brushed or crushed on the skin, releasing haemolymph pederin. An investigation was conducted in a school to ascertain the causative agent, establish the case definition, epidemiological characterisation of cases, entomological and environmental survey and data analysis. This outbreak occurred among 36 schoolchildren attending a night tuition class conducted by their teacher. Dermatitis developed within 24 hours in 33/37 (89.2%) cases with itchiness as the first presenting symptom in 87.9% of cases. Periorbital oedema and erythematous-vesicular plaques on the upper extremities were seen in 57.6% of cases, on the back (36.4%) and on the nape (24.2%). Signs and symptoms were present 12 hours after exposure in 66.7% of cases with burning sensation within four hours in 9.1%. Seven cases received out-patient treatment. Thirty cases (90.9%) recalled exposure to Paederus fuscipes with 28 (84.8%) cases admitting crushing or brushing the insects. (Relative risk = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.2; 4.2). The school with fluorescent lighting, was located next to paddy fields. P. fuscipes was easily found in the paddy fields and along the school corridors. This strongly supports it as the likely causative agent for the dermatitis. Boarding the ventilation panes and use of insect spray were successfully implemented to control the outbreak. Increased awareness of this condition is important to prevent misdiagnosis.

Topics: Animals; Child; Coleoptera; Dermatitis, Irritant; Dermotoxins; Disease Outbreaks; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Pyrans; Schools

Paederus dermatitis develops when beetles of the genus Paederus (often called rove beetles) are crushed on the skin, releasing the vesicant pederin. These beetles are found in many tropical and subtropical habitats.. We describe 156 patients who presented to a dermatology clinic in the Guilan province of northern Iran during a 6-month period (May-October 2001).. The peak time of presentation was in September, and the face and neck were the most common sites of involvement. Clinically, the most common presentation comprised geographic erythematous plaques with micropustules. In three-quarters of patients, more than one lesion was present. Kissing lesions were seen in 5% of cases, and 15% of patients developed diffuse desquamation. The majority of patients resided within 1 km of rice fields and used fluorescent lighting at home. In half of the cases, another family member was also affected.. Paederus dermatitis is a common skin condition in northern Iran. We believe that increased public awareness of this condition can decrease mucocutaneous exposure to pederin.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Animals; Child; Child, Preschool; Coleoptera; Dermatitis, Irritant; Dermotoxins; Female; Humans; Incidence; Infant; Iran; Male; Middle Aged; Pyrans; Seasons

Vesicular dermatitis due to contact with Coleoptera (beetles) is common worldwide, although the condition has been infrequently described in Australia. We document the largest outbreak recognized so far in Australia with a conservative estimate of 250 cases. This occurred in central coastal Queensland over several weeks in late 1998. A survey of the medical practitioners in this district is presented, along with clinical and histopathological illustrations. Our research found that knowledge of the condition was limited even in this region where cases occur each year. This condition is an important differential diagnosis in acute blistering disorders.

Topics: Animals; Coleoptera; Dermatitis, Irritant; Diagnosis, Differential; Disease Outbreaks; Family Practice; Humans; Incidence; Insect Bites and Stings; Pyrans; Queensland; Skin; Surveys and Questionnaires; Toxins, Biological

Topics: Animals; Child; Coleoptera; Dermatitis, Irritant; Facial Dermatoses; Humans; Male; Pyrans