Epidemiologic Study of Paederus Dermatitis Prevailing in the Midwest Area of Kyungpuk Province

Kim, Jang Oh; Kim, Sang Won; Kim, Dong Seok; Pyun, Sae Hyun

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Paederus derriattis is a peculiar linear lesion caused by an insect belonging to genus Paederus, family Staptylinidae, order Coleoptera. The deliberate or accidental contact of crushed coelomic fluid of th insect, on the skin causes acute lesions due to a t.oxin(pederin) being released.
OBJECTIVE
The study was nade in order to investigate an epidemic status of the peculiar der matitis and its causative agent of factor prevailing in the midwest area of Kyungpuk province.
METHODS
We performed field approaches on 633 cases(M: 303, F: 330) including cases enrolled in a local clinic, teamiring up with a local skin clinician over the 3-month period of August November in 1994.
RESULTS
1. The captive insect causing the present dermatits, was identified as Paederus fuscipes(PF). The epidemic might be attributeid to the climatic conditions with higher temperature than usual during the period of July-eary September in the past year by 3-4degrees C as well as a lower relative humidity. The active temperature zone for PF was presumed to be about 15.5+1.2degrees C to 28.9+1.0degrees C 2. There was the highest p;evalence of 412 cases(65.1%) in early September, followed by mid September, late August, early October and mid August in a small number of cases in decreasing order. The cases were not found after mid October. 3. All age groups were evealy represented. The sex ratio was 1: 1.1 with little difference. The majority of cases lived in Kiriich on city(80.3%), with a lesser outbreak in the neighboring coun ties and Kumi city. 4. The preferred site was the mainly exposed area such as face, neck and extremities. The number of lesion was single(60%) and multiple(40%). The lesion showed a common linear con figuration and acute irritant contact dermatitis consistent with the histologic finding.
CONCLUSION
The unusual wiather conditions and poor environmental hygiene help to develop an ecosystem breakdown, which, in turn, sometimes influences the innocuous insects life to be harm ful being on humans, as like outbreak of PF dermatitis.