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

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.

Cimikose (Bettwanzenbefall)

“…Jh. in Europa etabliert) und kommen als Kosmopoliten und Zivilisationsfolger bevorzugt in bewohnten Innenräumen vor [2]. Von den mehr als 100 beschriebenen Plattwanzenarten leben allerdings nur wenige direkt mit dem Menschen zusammen (Synanthropie).…”

“…1 Differenzialdiagnosen nach Epizoonosenbefall (modiziert nach [3]). Betroffene Personen empfinden den Parasitenbefall meist als psychisch sehr belastend [2]. Nach Manipulation an den Stichwunden durch Kratzen kann es gelegentlich zu behandlungsbedürftigen bakteriellen Superinfektionen kommen.…”

“…Obwohl mehr als 40 verschiedene humanpathogene Erreger (u. a. HIV, Hepatitis-B-Virus, Trypanosoma cruzi, Coxiella burnetii) in Bettwanzen nachgewiesen werden konnten, gibt es bisher keinen Anhalt für ein relevantes humanpathogenes Vektorpotenzialim Gegensatz zu den verwandten südamerikanischen Raubwanzen, die bekanntermaßen Trypanosomen als Erreger der Chagas-Krankheit übertragen [2].…”

First official report of bed bug (Hemiptera, Cimicidae) infestations in Algeria

“…The two cosmopolitan species, Cimex lectularius, and C. hemipterus , feed almost exclusively on humans and are responsible for significant infestation outbreaks. Although no proven evidence has been demonstrated the vectorial role of these insects, they have been the main issue of public health and responsible for several clinical, psychological, and economic disorders ( Goddard and deShazo, 2009 ; Benkacimi et al, 2020 ; Akhoundi et al, 2023 ). In addition to medical issues, removing the bed bugs from an infested area is a costly mission.…”

“…In addition to medical issues, removing the bed bugs from an infested area is a costly mission. Therefore, bed bug infestation control remains a significant challenge in public health ( Akhoundi et al, 2023 ). Since the 1990s, bed bugs ( C. lectularius and C. hemipterus ) have undergone a significant resurgence worldwide.…”