1/4. Chigger mite infestation.This article reports on a 45-year-old woman who presented with pruritus and was diagnosed as having chigger mite infestation, a rare condition. The chigger mite larvae were encountered while the patient was traveling in south america. A small erythematous area with a well-circumscribed papule in the sulcus of the second digit of the right foot was incised and drained. Follow-up examination showed relief of all symptoms, including pain and pruritus. This unusual case presentation underscores the need for all podiatric physicians to obtain a comprehensive history, including history of travel, along with performing a thorough physical examination. ( info) |
2/4. A new member of the trombiculid mite family Neotrombicula nagayoi (acari: trombiculidae) induces human dermatitis.We present the first definitive evidence that the mite Neotrombicula nagayoi bites humans under natural conditions in japan. Initially, bites resulted in mild pruritus without pain. However, skin reactions increased gradually year by year with severe pruritus with pain being reported by the victim after being bitten repeatedly. Six species of trombiculid mites comprising three genera were isolated from soil samples collected from August to October in both 2001 and 2002 at a study site where a man was bitten by N. nagayoi. The dominant species was L. intermedium (72.4%) followed by L. pallidum (8.3%) and N. nagayoi (8.1%). N. nagayoi was found only in August and September. We did not detect the pathogen orientia tsutsugamushi in any of the unfed larvae, including N. nagayoi, collected from the soil samples. ( info) |
3/4. trombiculiasis: clinical contribution.Neotrombicula autumnalis is an arthropod usually living in the soil, except for the short period of the larval stage when it becomes a real parasite of warm-blooded hosts. We present a case of human trombiculiasis, which is unusual because of the parasite transmission from animals to humans, as in a typical synanthropic dermatosis. ( info) |
4/4. Harvest mites--a present from the Lake District.A case of harvest-mite infestation acquired in the South Lakeland area is described in a 7-year-old boy and his immediate family. The characteristic papular urticarial lesions produced are extremely florid and may cause diagnostic problems when patients present in areas where the mite is uncommon. The life cycle of the harvest mite is discussed and recommendations for treatment given. ( info) |