Dermatitis caused by arthropods in domestic environment: an Italian multicentre study

Trident-shaped Dermatitis in a Child

Abstract is missing (Short communication)

Urticaria: A Narrative Overview of Differential Diagnosis

Urticaria is an inflammatory skin disorder that may occur in isolation or associated with angioedema and/or anaphylaxis. Clinically, it is characterized by the presence of smooth, erythematous or blanching, itchy swelling, called wheals or hives, which greatly vary in size and shape and last less than 24 h before fading to leave normal skin. Urticaria is the consequence of mast-cell degranulation that can be caused by immunological or non-immunological mechanisms. From a clinical point of view, many skin conditions can mimic urticaria and their recognition is mandatory for a correct management and therapeutic approach. We have reviewed all of the main relevant studies which addressed differential diagnosis of urticarial, published until December 2022. The National Library of Medicine PubMed database was used for the electronic research. The present review offers a clinical narrative overview, based on the available literature, of the principal skin disorders that can be misdiagnosed as urticaria (mainly autoinflammatory or autoimmune disorders, drug-induced reactions, and hyperproliferative diseases). The aim of this review is to provide clinicians a useful tool for correctly suspecting and identifying all of these conditions.

Human ectoparasitosis by mites of the genus Pyemotes Amerling 1861 (Acarina: Pyemotidae)

The mites of the family Pyemotidae Berlese (1897) are a large family of ectoparasitoids arthropods, known as pathogen for humans since the 18^th century and responsible for the so-called "straw itch" or "grain itch" in granary and dock workers. The identified species of the genus Pyemotes are divided into two groups: the scolyti group (P. scolyti, P. parviscolyti and P. dimorphus) and the ventricosus group (P. tritici and P. ventricosus). The first group is characterized by nonvenomous mites usually parasitizing bark beetles; the ventricosus group includes species associated with a large number of hosts (Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera and Rhynchota), parasitizing all host stages, often highly poisonous and responsible for itchy skin lesions for humans. Several species of Pyemotes mites can be pathogenic to humans, especially in spring and summer and in indoor environments, where worm-eaten wood or infested foodstuffs are present. The most frequent clinical feature is the "strophulus," characterized by small erythematous, edematous, and papular lesions centered by a tiny vescicle evolving into a small erosion covered by crust, or by a central hemorrhagic punctum. Other less frequently observed clinical features are urticaria-like lesions, erythematous excoriated papular and pustular lesions, and rarely scabies-like eruptions. The parasitological diagnosis together with the environmental disinfestation and removing of each substrate infested by insects parasitized by Pyemotidae is mandatory to definitely solve Pyemotes dermatitis.

Itching for an Answer: Gall-Forming Biological Control Agent Contains an Itch Mite Species Found at Localities Known for Periodic ‘Bite Outbreaks’

Biological control is an attractive option for controlling invasive plant species that are difficult to manage otherwise. However, the release of a non-native species as a biological control agent carries risks. The most obvious risk relates to impacts on plant species other than the plant species targeted for control. There are, however, also other risks. We report on a potential unintended impact of Dasineura dielsi, a gall-forming biological control agent that was released against Acacia cyclops in South Africa in 2003. We confirmed that the galls formed by D. dielsi on A. cyclops harbor mites in the genus Pyemotes (P. cf. ventricosus) within their gall structures, which are parasites of various insect species, but are also known to cause dermatitis in humans. Sporadic biting incidences have been reported in at least two locations in South Africa. The implications are that manual clearing of A. cyclops may expose humans to itch mites and to risks of bites. Gall-forming insects and fungi are known to create niches for herbivores and other gall-associated fauna. Although every possible food web interaction cannot be predicted, enough evidence exists to require that agent screening to include non-target risks other than those pertaining to non-host plants. Testing only whether agents are compromised by interactions with non-target plant species is not sufficient during agent evaluation. If such associations are known from the native range and therefore can form in the introduced range, then any known risk to health and socio-economic activities should be disclosed. We argue for the general development of objective assessment of such risks compared with the benefits potentially accruing from successful biological control of the target plant.

Scabies and Pediculosis in Penitentiary Institutions in Poland-A Study of Ectoparasitoses in Confinement Conditions

BACKGROUND

Scabies (caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis) and pediculosis (caused by Pediculus humanus) are infectious diseases common in educational institutions and long-term care centres. The aim of the study was to assess the scale of the phenomenon in confinement conditions favouring the spread of these parasitoses.

METHODS

Data on the prevalence of scabies (2001-2015) and pediculosis (2008-2015) in Polish prisoners were provided by the Central Board of Prison Service. The information for the period between 2010 and 2015 in the Lublin Province was obtained from the District Inspectorate of the Prison Service in Lublin. Correlations between the prevalence of scabies and pediculosis and the number of prisoners were analysed, as well as correlations between the number of passes granted to prisoners and the prevalence of scabies and pediculosis in incarcerated individuals.

RESULTS

The prevalence of scabies and pediculosis in Polish prisoners has been estimated at 2.3% and 1.9%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediculosis and scabies are still current issues in Polish prisons. Convicts returning from passes and new prisoners should be carefully examined and monitored for the presence of S. scabiei var. hominis and P. humanus invasion. Education of prisoners could be a promising tool in prevention of scabies and pediculosis in correctional settings.

AlistagTM, a new coating agent for aging cheese and hams

Aging rooms of dry-cured ham and cheese are subject to the development of mold and arthropods, above all mites, which cause the erosion of the external part of these food products, reducing their surface to dust and determining their progressive degradation. This work is meant to give the results of an experiment carried out to test the level of protection supplied by Alistag^TM, a coating agent based on Gluconodeltalactone, on a typical Sicilian cheese cosacavaddu ibleo. Alistag^TM was applied by nebulization and by immersion. The two parameters took in consideration to evaluate their efficacy were the presence/absence of cracks and the level of dustiness on the surface of the cheese. Alistag^TM turned out to be very efficient in protecting cheese both from the development of dust and from cracks; between the two kinds of application tested, immersion resulted to be the best one, for the protecting action lasts longer.

Generalized papular-purpuric eruption due to Solenopsis fugax bites

A 59-year-old atopic man referred to for the onset of a diffused itching papular-purpuric eruption involving his trunk and legs but without systemic symptoms. History revealed that he started feeling itching after spending few hours in his basement. Direct examination of the environmental dust (www.edpa.it) showed high level of infestation of Solenopsis fugax, a small Myrmicinae ant. The skin eruption completely healed without scarring in 2 weeks. Specific disinfestation measures were performed and the patient did not comply of any recurrence during a 6-months follow-up.