Bed bugs: clinical relevance and control options

Abstract

Since the late 1990s, bed bugs of the species Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus have undergone a worldwide resurgence. These bed bugs are blood-sucking insects that readily bite humans. Cutaneous reactions may occur and can start out as small macular lesions that can develop into distinctive wheals of around 5 cm in diameter, which are accompanied by intense itching. Occasionally, bullous eruptions may result. If bed bugs are numerous, the patient can present with widespread urticaria or eythematous rashes. Often, bites occur in lines along the limbs. Over 40 pathogens have been detected in bed bugs, but there is no definitive evidence that they transmit any disease-causing organisms to humans. Anemia may result when bed bugs are numerous, and their allergens can trigger asthmatic reactions. The misuse of chemicals and other technologies for controlling bed bugs has the potential to have a deleterious impact on human health, while the insect itself can be the cause of significant psychological trauma. The control of bed bugs is challenging and should encompass a multidisciplinary approach utilizing nonchemical means of control and the judicious use of insecticides. For accommodation providers, risk management procedures should be implemented to reduce the potential of bed bug infestations.

Fig 1

Relative hits from the United States by state to the website http://www.bedbug.org.au as determined by Google Analytics, 6 June 2011 to 2 November 2011, based on 18,672 hits (134).

Fig 2

The various life stages of the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius. Bar, 5 mm. Depicted are the egg stage, the five instars, and both adults. All stages were identified according to the key of Usinger (297). (Reprinted from references and .)

Fig 3

Bed bug infestation on a mattress. People most commonly encounter bed bugs in infested beds. The insects typically harbor along the mattress piping. Various stages can be observed, along with dark fecal spotting.

Fig 4

Bite reactions the morning after being bitten by bed bugs. The bites are faint erythematous macules and papules 2 to 3 mm in diameter. The bed bug species was not identified; the bites occurred in a region where both C. lectularius and C. hemipterus occur. (Reprinted from reference .)

Fig 5

Same patient shown in Fig. 4 but 4 days later. Lines of bites that run along the body can be observed, along with the classic bed bug wheal, measuring 2 to 3 cm in diameter. (Reprinted from reference [courtesy of Nigel Hill].)

Fig 6

Lines of bites along the arm. The bed bug species was not identified.

Fig 7

A 4-year-old girl bitten by hundreds of C. lectularius bed bugs (identified by the authors). Multiple discrete bed bug wheals, some with purpuric centers, cover much of the body. (Reprinted from reference .)

Fig 8

Same patient shown in Fig. 7. A diffused erythema has developed in the more severely bitten areas. This could be the result of trauma (e.g., scratching) to the affected areas.

Fig 9

Bullae with hemorrhagic serum on the hands and ankles from the bite of C. lectularius (identified by the authors). These appeared between 24 and 36 h following the bites. The purpuric/necrotic lesions on the ankle indicate the severity of the reaction. (Reprinted from reference .)