Severe infestation by tropical bedbugs (Cimex hemipterus) in Medellín, Colombia. Case series
Abstract Introduction: Bedbugs are obligate hematophagous parasites that are difficult to control and eradicate, which can cause a great psychological and economic impact. This paper presents three clinical cases secondary to a tropical bedbug infestation that were morphologically and genetically...
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Universidad Nacional de Colombia
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Case Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/care/article/view/103962 |
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| author | Julián Felipe Porras-Villamil Sandra Sáez-Durán María Trelis-Villanueva Rubén Bueno-Marí Màrius Vicent Fuentes |
| author_facet | Julián Felipe Porras-Villamil Sandra Sáez-Durán María Trelis-Villanueva Rubén Bueno-Marí Màrius Vicent Fuentes |
| author_sort | Julián Felipe Porras-Villamil |
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Abstract
Introduction: Bedbugs are obligate hematophagous parasites that are difficult to control and eradicate, which can cause a great psychological and economic impact. This paper presents three clinical cases secondary to a tropical bedbug infestation that were morphologically and genetically identified.
Case presentation: A three-member family (mother aged 53 years and two daughters aged 25 and 22 years) living in Medellín (Colombia) requested a private teleconsultation due to generalized pruritus and psychological symptoms (feeling of isolation, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and jumpiness). During the appointment, it was found that the patients presented subtle welts on the upper and lower extremities. Therefore, a visit to the family home was scheduled, finding 155 insects that were later identified as Cimex hemipterus. The patients were prescribed symptomatic treatment and informed about measures to control infestations. A pest control company made several visits to eliminate the bed bugs, but they were ineffective. Finally, the insects were eradicated after 3 months of meticulous daily cleaning with steam and heat.
Conclusion: These cases confirm the presence of a tropical bedbug (C. hemipterus) in Colombia and illustrate the significant psychological burden that bedbug infestations can cause and the difficulty of controlling them, thus making this issue an important public health problem.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0ea57eae2ff3404c8262811d32709c9e |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2462-8522 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Universidad Nacional de Colombia |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Case Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-0ea57eae2ff3404c8262811d32709c9e2025-08-20T02:44:33ZengUniversidad Nacional de ColombiaCase Reports2462-85222025-01-0110210.15446/cr.v10n2.103962Severe infestation by tropical bedbugs (Cimex hemipterus) in Medellín, Colombia. Case seriesJulián Felipe Porras-Villamil0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1861-4601Sandra Sáez-Durán1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7537-4176María Trelis-Villanueva2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5977-3337Rubén Bueno-Marí3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4898-8519Màrius Vicent Fuentes4https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9508-6390Universidad de la Salle - Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias - Grupo de Investigación en Epidemiologia y Salud Pública - Bogotá D.C. - Colombia/ Universitat de Valencia - Facultad de Farmacia - Departamento de Farmacia, Tecnología Farmacéutica y Parasitología - Grupo de Investigación en Parásitos y Salud - Valencia - España/ Instituto Nacional de Salud - Grupo de Parasitología - Bogotá D.C. - ColombiaUniversitat de Valencia - Facultad de Farmacia - Departamento de Farmacia, Tecnología Farmacéutica y Parasitología - Grupo de Investigación en Parásitos y Salud - Valencia - EspañaUniversitat de Valencia - Facultad de Farmacia - Departamento de Farmacia, Tecnología Farmacéutica y Parasitología - Grupo de Investigación en Parásitos y Salud - Valencia - EspañaUniversitat de Valencia - Facultad de Farmacia - Departamento de Farmacia, Tecnología Farmacéutica y Parasitología - Grupo de Investigación en Parásitos y Salud - Valencia - España/ Laboratorios Lokímica - Departamento de Investigación y Desarrollo - Valencia - EspañaUniversitat de Valencia - Facultad de Farmacia - Departamento de Farmacia, Tecnología Farmacéutica y Parasitología - Grupo de Investigación en Parásitos y Salud - Valencia - España Abstract Introduction: Bedbugs are obligate hematophagous parasites that are difficult to control and eradicate, which can cause a great psychological and economic impact. This paper presents three clinical cases secondary to a tropical bedbug infestation that were morphologically and genetically identified. Case presentation: A three-member family (mother aged 53 years and two daughters aged 25 and 22 years) living in Medellín (Colombia) requested a private teleconsultation due to generalized pruritus and psychological symptoms (feeling of isolation, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and jumpiness). During the appointment, it was found that the patients presented subtle welts on the upper and lower extremities. Therefore, a visit to the family home was scheduled, finding 155 insects that were later identified as Cimex hemipterus. The patients were prescribed symptomatic treatment and informed about measures to control infestations. A pest control company made several visits to eliminate the bed bugs, but they were ineffective. Finally, the insects were eradicated after 3 months of meticulous daily cleaning with steam and heat. Conclusion: These cases confirm the presence of a tropical bedbug (C. hemipterus) in Colombia and illustrate the significant psychological burden that bedbug infestations can cause and the difficulty of controlling them, thus making this issue an important public health problem. https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/care/article/view/103962Case ReportsBedbugsCimex hemipterusColombia |
| spellingShingle | Julián Felipe Porras-Villamil Sandra Sáez-Durán María Trelis-Villanueva Rubén Bueno-Marí Màrius Vicent Fuentes Severe infestation by tropical bedbugs (Cimex hemipterus) in Medellín, Colombia. Case series Case Reports Case Reports Bedbugs Cimex hemipterus Colombia |
| title | Severe infestation by tropical bedbugs (Cimex hemipterus) in Medellín, Colombia. Case series |
| title_full | Severe infestation by tropical bedbugs (Cimex hemipterus) in Medellín, Colombia. Case series |
| title_fullStr | Severe infestation by tropical bedbugs (Cimex hemipterus) in Medellín, Colombia. Case series |
| title_full_unstemmed | Severe infestation by tropical bedbugs (Cimex hemipterus) in Medellín, Colombia. Case series |
| title_short | Severe infestation by tropical bedbugs (Cimex hemipterus) in Medellín, Colombia. Case series |
| title_sort | severe infestation by tropical bedbugs cimex hemipterus in medellin colombia case series |
| topic | Case Reports Bedbugs Cimex hemipterus Colombia |
| url | https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/care/article/view/103962 |
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