Clinical and histopathological study of <i>Simulium</i> (blackfly) dermatitis from North‐Eastern India – a report

Borah, Subhalaxmi; Goswami, Sewali; Agarwal, Manisha; Rahman, Imtiaz; Deka, Manab; Chattopadhyay, Pronobesh; Singh, Lokendra

doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2011.05035.x

Cited by 17 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Cases of human dermatitis caused by Simulium have also been reported by other authors from various European countries, e.g., [34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43] and other parts of the world, e.g., [44][45][46][47][48].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Skin Lesions and Systemic Reactions in Humans Infested by Blackflies (Diptera: Simullidae) in Recreational Areas in Southeastern Poland

Sitarz

Buczek

2021

JCM

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Due to their mass occurrence in some environments and high aggressiveness, blackflies (Simulium spp.) represent the most bothersome arthropods attacking humans. In this study, we describe the medical effects of blackfly infestations in humans in southeastern Poland. Local and systemic reactions to blackfly bites were monitored in 418 patients (61.24% of females and 38.76% of males) of medical centers. Only skin lesions at the site of the bites were found in 88.52% of the patients, whereas accompanying systemic reactions were diagnosed in 11.48%. The most common signs observed in the area of the bites were pruritus (94.74%), burning (55.02%), edema (44.02%), and erythema (40.91%). The skin lesions, which were most often grouped small papules and papular and purpuric lesions with a varied range, typically persisted for several days, or for several weeks in some patients. Statistical analyses confirmed that the persistence of the skin lesions did not depend on the sex of the patients and the number of blackfly infestations. The systemic reactions to the components of the blackfly saliva were manifested by headache, increased body temperature, arthralgia, lymphadenopathy, and menstrual disorders in the females. The patients were most often attacked simultaneously by many blackflies on exposed parts of the body, mainly the upper limb, lower limb, head, and neck areas. The investigations indicate that blackflies are an important etiological factor of dermatitis and other symptoms in humans; hence, they should be considered in clinical diagnosis.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Skin Lesions and Systemic Reactions in Humans Infested by Blackflies (Diptera: Simullidae) in Recreational Areas in Southeastern Poland

Sitarz

Buczek

2021

JCM

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“…For the latter, &800 ng BFSE was injected subcutaneously (SC) in a 200 ml volume; controls received saline vehicle in the same volume (SC). This particular dose of BFSE was selected based upon our previous study (Borah et al, 2012).…”

Section: Animalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Immunomodulating effects and hypersensitivity reactions caused by Northeast Indian black fly salivary gland extract

Chattopadhyay¹,

Goyary²,

Dhiman

et al. 2013

Journal of Immunotoxicology

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The genus Simulium, black fly (Diptera), comprises 41800 species worldwide, of which 67 species under six subgenera have been well studied in India. While at the extreme, black fly bites can cause onchocerciasis or river blindness, the majority of clinical observations indicate mainly severe pain and continuous itching at bite sites. This investigation experimentally observed that black fly salivary extract (BFSE) causes unique biologic effects including immunomodulation, anti-coagulation, and hypersensitivity reactions in Wistar rats. Salivary glands from black flies were isolated, extracted in saline, and then &800 ng extract (BFSE) subcutaneously injected into rats. To evaluate potential immunosuppressive activity of the BFSE, serum levels of interleukins [IL]-6 and -10 and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-a were assayed. To assess the BFSE impact on coagulation, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT), and bleeding time, as well as generation of coagulation activated factors I, IX, and X were analyzed. Anaphylaxis induction was monitored via electrocardiogram (ECG) and measures of blood pressure and rectal temperature. The data showed that BFSE treatment resulted in a significantly prolonged aPTT, PT, and bleeding time and reversibly inhibited generation of coagulation activated factors I, IX, and X. The extract also led to a prolonged (up to 48 h) suppression of serum IL-6, IL-10, and TNFa production. While these results suggest that BFSE possesses anti-thrombotic, anti-coagulant, and immunomodulatory activities, importantly, they also indicate that the extract has a capacity to induce anaphylaxis and acute cardiotoxicity.

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“…Our patient developed KD after a blackfly bite. A blackfly bite usually causes local pain, swelling, and redness; however, the bite can also cause a systemic reaction (blackfly fever) that precipitates headaches, fever, nausea, vomiting, malaise, and generalized lymphadenopathy [ 11 , 12 ]. Blackfly salivary secretions contain a wide range of physiologically active molecules that can induce local immunomodulation and anticoagulation and local and systemic hypersensitivity reactions in humans [ 13 ]; however, patients with severe blackfly hypersensitivity reactions have rarely been reported.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Kawasaki Disease with Retropharyngeal Edema following a Blackfly Bite

Watanabe

2014

Case Reports in Pediatrics

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We describe a patient with Kawasaki disease (KD) and retropharyngeal edema following a blackfly bite. An 8-year-old boy was referred to our hospital because of a 3-day-history of fever and left neck swelling and redness after a blackfly bite. Computed tomography of the neck revealed left cervical lymph nodes swelling with edema, increased density of the adjacent subcutaneous tissue layer, and low density of the retropharyngeum. The patient was initially presumed to have cervical cellulitis, lymphadenitis, and retropharyngeal abscess. He was administered antibiotics intravenously, which did not improve his condition. The patient subsequently exhibited other signs of KD and was diagnosed with KD and retropharyngeal edema. Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy and oral flurbiprofen completely resolved the symptoms and signs. A blackfly bite sometimes incites a systemic reaction in humans due to a hypersensitive reaction to salivary secretions, which may have contributed to the development of KD in our patient.

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Clinical and histopathological study of Simulium (blackfly) dermatitis from North‐Eastern India – a report

Abstract: The clinical manifestations and severity of Simulium dermatitis are serious matters of concern in hypersensitive persons.

Cited by 17 publications

References 3 publications

Skin Lesions and Systemic Reactions in Humans Infested by Blackflies (Diptera: Simullidae) in Recreational Areas in Southeastern Poland

Skin Lesions and Systemic Reactions in Humans Infested by Blackflies (Diptera: Simullidae) in Recreational Areas in Southeastern Poland

Immunomodulating effects and hypersensitivity reactions caused by Northeast Indian black fly salivary gland extract

Kawasaki Disease with Retropharyngeal Edema following a Blackfly Bite

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