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Review
. 2023 Jul 5;13(13):2281.
doi: 10.3390/diagnostics13132281.

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

Mohammad Akhoundi  1 , Coralie Zumelzu  2 , Denis Sereno  3 , Anthony Marteau  1 , Sophie Brun  1 , Julie Jan  4 , Arezki Izri  1   5
Affiliations
Review

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

Mohammad Akhoundi et al. Diagnostics (Basel). .

Abstract

Bed bugs, Cimex lectularius, and C. hemipterus 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.

Keywords: bed bugs; clinical manifestations; control management; diagnosis; treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A wide range of clinical manifestations caused by bed bug bites (in the patients referred to the Parasitology Department of Avicenne Hospital, Bobigny, France). (A) Minor reaction. (B) Maculopapule. (C) Papule. (D) Nodule. (E) Vesicle. (F) Bullae. (G) Erythema. (H) Edema. (I) Eczematiform lesion. (J) Generalized lesion. (K) Secondary infection. (L) Bite spot of bed bug.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Bed bug infestations in various parts of an apartment in Paris (inspected in this study). (A) Numerous excreted black spots of bed bug blood digestion behind the painting panel, (B) Multiple living bed bugs with different life stages hidden in the baseboards, (C) Huge quantity of exoskeletons and living bed bugs reproduced in the bed mattress, (D) Bed bugs colonized behind the wall sheets.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Strait pattern of bed bugs’ bite.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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