An Unusual Presentation of Pyemotes ventricosus Dermatitis Presenting With Umbilicated Papules Mimicking Poxvirus Infection

Abstract

Pyemotes ventricosus mites are an uncommon cause of pruritic dermatitis seen most commonly in occupational exposure, prominently found in professionals such as farmers, landscapers, and factory workers who work with grains, wheat, dried beans, or grasses. The clinical description of the rash has typically been described as papular, erythematous, with a central vesicular lesion. We describe a case of Pyemotes dermatitis with an atypical clinical presentation. A 30-year-old man presented with pruritic, umbilicated papules, which involved his right lateral trunk and upper thigh leading to the submitted clinical impression of molloscum contagiosum. A biopsy of the skin was taken, and fragments of arthropod consistent with P. ventricosus were identified within umbilicated indentations of skin. The patient subsequently admitted to the onset of the rash immediately after carrying bales of straw while supporting each bale with his right side. The possibility of Pyemotes dermatitis mimicking a poxvirus–like eruption should be considered when encountering an unusual umbilicated papular eruption in the appropriate patient with occupational exposure.

Pyemotes ventricosus Dermatitis: A Case Report and an Extensive Review of Outbreaks and Clinical Cases

“…Cutaneous signs were erythematous papules and vesicles. The unusual presentation of P. ventricosus with umbilicated pseudopox-like lesions was also described [ 5 ]. The trunk was the most represented site of cutaneous lesions (11/38, 28.9%).…”