Outbreak of Occupational Dermatitis Associated With Pyemotes ventricosus

Pyemotes ventricosus detection in a baby skin folds

“…1-10 Its population density exponentially increases as temperature and humidity rise (one pregnant female delivers up to 400 adult mites), being the summertime critical for reproduction in temperate latitudes countries. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] In this period, if usual hosts are insufficient, mites can attack humans causing either severe occupational outbreaks in workers exposed to repeated and close contact with infested wood/plants/cereals. [4][5][6][7][8] Isolated cases due to domestic environments infestation are not infrequent too, but their reported incidence is largely underestimated because an aetiologic diagnosis is almost always impossible in daily practice.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] In this period, if usual hosts are insufficient, mites can attack humans causing either severe occupational outbreaks in workers exposed to repeated and close contact with infested wood/plants/cereals. [4][5][6][7][8] Isolated cases due to domestic environments infestation are not infrequent too, but their reported incidence is largely underestimated because an aetiologic diagnosis is almost always impossible in daily practice. [1][2][3]9,10 Indeed, mites are not visible to naked eyes and undetectable on patient skin (i.e.…”

“…1,4-10 Intensely pruritic skin lesions (usually on folds, upper trunk, extremities) typically include strophulus, urticaria-like lesions, erythematousexcoriated papules or vesicles. [1][2][3][4]8 A central haemorrhagic punctum is frequently seen. 4,5 Some patients may also develop headache, fever, nausea or vomiting.…”

“…4,5 Some patients may also develop headache, fever, nausea or vomiting. 1,[6][7][8] To date, P. ventricosus was detected only on insect bodies (e.g. A. punctatum, 1-3 Cimes lectularius 9 ) collected from parasitized grain, 4,5 wood, 6,7 herbs 8 or furniture 2,3,10 after identification with a stereomicroscope.…”

Occupational papular urticaria due to Pyemotes ventricosus in antique dealers

“…4 Nevertheless, occupational ectoparasitoses induced by P. ventricosus in subjects working in contact with contaminated cereals or other materials of vegetable origin such as farmers, bakers, and employees in herbal medicine production, have rarely been described. 1,5,6 In particular, occupational dermatitis in antique dealers in contact with wormeaten wooden structures infested by P. ventricosus had never been described before. Only two patients with occupational ectoparasitosis due to contact with wormeaten wooden structures were reported, but these patients were restorers and the infesting agent was Scleroderma domesticum (Klug, 1809), an insect belonging to the Bethylidae family with parasitic activity on the larvae of woodworm, as P. ventricosus.…”