Bed Bugs and Infectious Disease: A Case for the Arboviruses

Adelman, Zach N.; Miller, Dini; Myles, K.M.

doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1003462

Cited by 41 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…However, speculation on bed bugs serving as a vector of human diseases has been reported in the older scientific literature (Doane 1910, Edwards 1892, Nelson 1963. Adelman et al (2013) speculated that three ecological circumstances can potentially cause bed bugs to become vectors of pathogens. Those are: (a) cimicids consisted of a diverse group of insects sharing common hosts and habitat; (b) bats are natural reservoir host for multiple arboviruses associated with human disease, and bed bugs are also associated bats; (c) cimicids are repeatedly exposed to bats and viruses they harbor, and this interaction suggests the possibility of zoonotic transmission between these two groups.…”

Section: Medical Importance Of Bed Bugsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advances in Molecular Research on Bed Bugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)

Basnet

Kamble

2019

Journal of Entomological Science

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With the resurgence and increase in infestations of the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), across the world, there has been renewed interest in molecular research on this pest. In this paper, we present current information on the biology, medical importance, management practices, behavior and physiology, and molecular research conducted on bed bugs. The majority of molecular studies are focused towards understanding the molecular mechanism of insecticide resistance. Bed bugs are hematophagous insects with no prior record of vectoring any disease organisms. An improved understanding of how bed bugs lack vector competency may provide information to prevent disease transmission in other hematophagous insects. The genome of bed bugs has been sequenced, and genomic studies may provide a better understanding of bed bug behavior that might be utilized in developing effective management strategies. Recently, with the advancement of RNA interference (RNAi ) as a tool to suppress insects, a few RNAi studies have been conducted in bed bugs. RNAi in bed bugs shows potential to suppress populations in laboratory conditions. However, delivery of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) into bed bugs under field condition requires extensive research.

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Section: Medical Importance Of Bed Bugsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advances in Molecular Research on Bed Bugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)

Basnet

Kamble

2019

Journal of Entomological Science

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“…Bed bugs have been suspected of transmitting infectious agents; over 40 microorganisms have frequently been considered as strong candidates [Burton, ; Goddard and deShazo, ; Adelman et al, ]. In contrast to mosquitoes or ticks, the literature evidence for pathogen transmission by bed bugs ( Cimex lectularius ), is very heterogeneous and sometimes incomplete [Delaunay et al, ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the possibility of arthropod transmission of HCV

Houldsworth

2016

Journal of Medical Virology

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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer occurring in up to 3% of the world's population. Parenteral exposure to HCV is the major mode of transmission of infection. Once established, infection will persist in up to 85% of individuals with only a minority of patients clearing viremia. Egypt has possibly the highest HCV prevalence in the world where 10-20% of the general population are infected with HCV. Endemic HCV appears to be concentrated in the tropics and sub-tropics where there are higher biting rates from insects. The question as to whether a bridge vector transmission is possible, via arthropods, both between humans and/or from an animal reservoir to humans is explored. Mechanical transmission, as opposed to biological transmission, is considered. Mechanical transmission can be an efficient way of transmitting an infection, as effective as biological transmission. Probability of transmission can increase as to the immediate circumstances and conditions at the time. Several factors may enhance mechanical transmission, including high levels of microbes in the vector, frequent biting, the close proximity, and contact between vectors and recipients as well as high density of insects. HCV has been isolated from bodies or heads of mosquitoes collected from the houses of HCV-infected individuals. The possibility of enzootic cycles of HCV tangential transmission via bridging vectors, such as, arthropods needs to be further investigated and possible animal reservoirs, including domestic rural epizootic cycles for HCV infection, requires further research with particular initial emphasis on equine infections. J. Med. Virol. 89:187-194, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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“…To date, there is no evidence that bed bugs can transmit human diseases. However, the mechanical transmission of typhus, kala-azar, anthrax, plague, tularemia, Q-fever and hepatitis B pathogens has been previously documented (Burton, 1963;Usinger, 1966;Ryckman et al, 1981;Blow et al, 2001;Adelman et al, 2013). People from all social and economic levels are affected by bed bugs, and bed bug infestations are found in almost every human-made structure, including hotels, apartments, hospitals, military camps, homeless shelters, office buildings and college dormitories (Potter et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%