Bed Bugs (Hemiptera, Cimicidae): A Global Challenge for Public Health and Control Management

Bed bugs, <i>Cimex lectularius</i>, and <i>C. hemipterus</i> are among the most common ectoparasites in human life worldwide. They feed on humans of all ages and sexes across all socioeconomic levels. Bed bugs’ blood feeding is responsible for a wide range of clinical manifes...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mohammad Akhoundi, Coralie Zumelzu, Denis Sereno, Anthony Marteau, Sophie Brun, Julie Jan, Arezki Izri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-07-01
Series:Diagnostics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/13/13/2281
Description
Summary:Bed bugs, <i>Cimex lectularius</i>, and <i>C. hemipterus</i> are among the most common ectoparasites in human life worldwide. They feed on humans of all ages and sexes across all socioeconomic levels. Bed bugs’ blood feeding is responsible for a wide range of clinical manifestations varying from minor reactions to bullous eruptions or severe allergies. In addition, they are responsible for considerable psychological distress. Therefore, diagnosis of bed bug bites and their consequence manifestations is beneficial in adapting remedies and treatment protocols advised by clinicians. So far, there is regrettably no definitive way to control these ectoparasites despite extensive efforts of public health authorities to manage them. An overview of the literature and medical documents gathered from bed bug-infested patients referred to the Parasitology and Dermatology departments of Avicenne Hospital (Bobigny, France) allowed us to document and illustrate a range of clinical disorders and psychological concerns caused by bed bugs’ bites and their clinical diagnosis. We also review the available tools currently used to control the bed bugs and present potential candidate methods for their successful eradication.
ISSN:2075-4418