Dermatitis Due to Paederus Colombinus: Report of an Epidemic Outbreak of 68 Cases in the Province of Darien, Panama

Abstract

Introduction

Contact dermatitis due to Paederus is a particular form of accident by animal contact. It is characterized by the sudden onset of erythematous and vesicular lesions with burning sensation on exposed areas of the body. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical findings of an outbreak of Paederus dermatitis in Panama.

Methods

Clinical and epidemiological findings of an outbreak of contact dermatitis caused by Paederus sp. in the province of Darien in eastern Panama is reported. After reviewing the clinical records, a clinical-epidemiological questionnaire was developed and used in 20 communities where reported cases were found. We captured and collected the specimens for species characterization for three consecutive days using three different methods of capture.

Results

During May-July, 2014, 68 cases of Paederus irritant contact dermatitis occurred in 20 communities of the Darien. Fifty-three percent were females. The age group of zero to five years had the highest number of cases, 15 (22%). The most common clinical presentation was the classical linear dermatitis (58%); 42% of the subjects had mirror image lesions, multiple vesicular-pustular lesions, and crust lesions. Symptoms were most commonly reported as a burning sensation (65%), followed by pruritus in 60%, pain (25%), and fever (nine percent). A total of 81 specimens of Paederus were collected, 68% in peridomiciliary areas.

Conclusions

This Paederus sp. dermatitis report represents one of the largest outbreak described in Latin America and the diagnosis could be confused with others skin diseases like pyodermitis or other contact dermatitis.