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Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Medknow Publications
ISSN: 0973-2284 EISSN: 1998-3670
Vol. 15, Num. 1, 2011, pp. 47-47

Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Vol. 15, No. 1, January-April, 2011, pp. 47

Letter to Editor

A warmer world means more beetles and more dermatitis

Engin Senel1, Ceren Sahin2

1 Clinic of Dermatology, Çankiri State Hospital, Çankiri, Turkey
2 Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey

Correspondence Address:Engin SenelÇ ankiri State Hospital, Clinic of Dermatology, Aksu Mahallesi, Ogretmenler Sokak, 18200 Çankiri Turkey enginsenel@enginsenel.com

Code Number: oe11012

DOI: 10.4103/0019-5278.82993

Dear Sir,

Global warming is a hypothesis that the average temperature of the earth′s atmosphere is increasing because of the release of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide that is the most important anthropogenic gas. Global warming controversy includes the causes and the consequences of a possible global warming. Although there is no scientific evidence to claim a man-made global warming, a global climate change may be a serious threat for the future of the world.

Recent reports revealed that climate changes due to a possible global warming influence ecological dynamics of the insect species and cause faster population growth rates. Increased mean summer temperatures, and prolonged warm and humid periods, promote malaria transmissions and periods of possible successful transmission of tick-borne infections. [1],[2]

Paederus dermatitis, also known as blister beetle dermatitis, is a peculiar type of acute irritant contact dermatitis caused by an insect belonging to the genus Paederus. The genus Paederus has nearly 630 species worldwide. [3] The disease is characterized by the appearance of vesicles, bullae, and pustules on erythematous base, and it is often misdiagnosed with herpes zoster or herpes simplex infection because of the burning and stinging sensation [Figure - 1]. Interestingly, the beetle does not bite or sting, and the contact between skin and the release of coelomic fluid of the accidently crushed beetle causes the dermatitis. Paederus beetles live in regions with a warm, tropical climate. [4] Paederus dermatitis has been reported recently with outbreaks from various countries including Iran, [5] Iraq, [6] Turkey, Malaysia, [7] Kenya, Nigeria, Australia, [8] Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, and Ecuador in the literature.

An increase in global temperature may cause a progressive increment in the incidence of paederus dermatitis. In conclusion, we may face more beetles and dermatitis in the near future if we do not take appropriate measures to prevent a possible global warming.

References

1.Alekseev AN. The effects of global climatic changes on bloodsucking ectoparasites and pathogens they transmit. Vestn Ross Akad Med Nauk 2006:21-5.  Back to cited text no. 1    
2.DeSantis LR, Feranec RS, MacFadden BJ. Effects of global warming on ancient mammalian communities and their environments. PLoS One 2009;4:e5750.  Back to cited text no. 2    
3.Qadir SN, Raza N, Rahman SB. Paederus dermatitis in Sierra Leone. Dermatol Online J 2006;12:9.  Back to cited text no. 3    
4.Singh G, Yousuf Ali S. Paederus dermatitis. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2007;73:13-5.  Back to cited text no. 4  [PUBMED]  
5.Zargari O, Kimyai-Asadi A, Fathalikhani F, Panahi M. Paederus dermatitis in northern Iran: A report of 156 cases. Int J Dermatol 2003;42:608-12.  Back to cited text no. 5    
6.Al-Dhalimi MA. Paederus dermatitis in Najaf province of Iraq. Saudi Med J 2008;29:1490-3.  Back to cited text no. 6    
7.Rahmah E, Norjaiza MJ. An outbreak of Paederus dermatitis in a primary school, Terengganu, Malaysia. Malays J Pathol 2008;30:53-6.  Back to cited text no. 7    
8.Todd RE, Guthridge SL, Montgomery BL. Evacuation of an Aboriginal community in response to an outbreak of blistering dermatitis induced by a beetle (Paederus australis). Med J Aust 1996;164:238-40.  Back to cited text no. 8    

Copyright 2011 - Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

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