First report of Coxiella burnetii and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in poultry red mites, Dermanyssus gallinae (Mesostigmata, Acari), related to urban outbreaks of dermatitis in Italy

The poultry red mite (PRM), Dermanyssus gallinae, is a nonburrowing haematophagous nest-dwelling ectoparasite of birds; occasionally it bites humans, inducing dermatitis. The possibility that this parasite may also be involved in transmission of pathogens is an additional concern. We investigated the presence of zoonotic agents in PRMs from bird nests and pets, and related them to urban outbreaks of dermatitis. A total of 98 PRMs from 12 outbreaks of PRM dermatitis that occurred in Italian cities from 2001 to 2017 were molecularly investigated for detection of Coxiella spp. (16S rRNA), Chlamydophila spp. (16S rRNA), Rickettsia spp. (17 kDa protein-encoding gene), Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (groEL gene) and Bartonella spp. (16S–23S rRNA intergenic spacer). Of the 12 tested mite pools, one was positive for Coxiella burnetii (100% identity) and two for B. burgdorferi sensu lato (99% with Borrelia afzelii). For the first time, the presence of B. burgdorferi sensu lato and C. burnetii is reported in PRMs from urban areas. Birds, mainly pigeons, can harbour both pathogens. Therefore, birds and their nest-dwelling PRMs may play a role in the epidemiology of these infections

PHOTODERMATITIS DUE TO NIFEDIPINE - REPORT OF 2 CASES

We describe 2 cases of severe photosensitivity dermatitis following the use of nifedipine for arterial hypertension. In both cases casual rechallenge with nifedipine confirmed that this drug was the causative agent

PHOTODERMATITIS DUE TO NIFEDIPINE - REPORT OF 2 CASES

We describe 2 cases of severe photosensitivity dermatitis following the use of nifedipine for arterial hypertension. In both cases casual rechallenge with nifedipine confirmed that this drug was the causative agent

An urban outbreak of red mite dermatitis in Italy

In this paper an urban outbreak dermatitis is reported. Case reports of red mite dermatitis are rare, because it is difficult to detect and accurately identify red mites, and thus to relate symptoms to those parasites. There Is little mention of red mite dermatitis in medical textbooks. Physicians and dermatologists are keenly aware of dermatoses associated with the burrowing mites Sarcoptes scabiei. If dermatitis is caused by ectoparasites of zoonotic interest, it is often misdiagnosed. Indeed, it is common to see skin damage, but not to find arthropods on patients. Thus, the occurrence of red mite represents the principal ectoparasite acquired by humans in an hurban environment from feral pigeons, together with the pigeon tick, Argas reflex. Today, feral pigeons are among the most successful avian settlers in our cities, where they have few enemies and food is always abundant

Lack of effect of human growth hormone therapy on melanocytic nevi: an epiluminescence microscopy study

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Infestazione da Dermanyssus gallinae nell'uomo: un problema di igiene urbana?

Gli Autori riportano 6 episodi di dermatite da Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer, 1778) nell’uomo. Tutti i casi si sono verificati in ambiente cittadino ed hanno interessato persone che non avevano alcun contatto con il pollame, ritenuto il principale serbatoio dell’acaro. In prossimità degli ambienti infestati era sempre possibile riscontrare la presenza consistente di colombi di città o di loro nidi abbandonati. L’aumento incontrollato delle popolazioni di colombi è un problema oramai riconosciuto universalmente ed è diventato, in alcune città, una vera e propria emergenza. È noto che Dermanyssus gallinae circola tra questi animali con notevole frequenza, tanto da essere considerato il più diffuso ectoparassita ematofago della specie. La stretta promiscuità di questi uccelli con l’uomo, oramai costante in ambiente urbano, amplifica le occasioni di contatto tra Dermanyssus gallinae e persone ed induce a considerare questa parassitosi un problema emergente di sanità pubblica. L’acaro, infatti, in mancanza di uccelli su cui compiere il pasto di sangue, può compiere migrazioni alla ricerca di un ospite su cui alimentarsi, invadere le abitazioni e infestare l’uomo. Il mancato sospetto e/o riconoscimento della patologia dermatologica, peraltro caratterizzata da lesioni aspecifiche, al di fuori dei contesti rurali, in pazienti apparentemente lontani da animali portatori e la difficoltà di individuare precocemente il parassita nell’ambiente, per la peculiarità del suo ciclo biologico, sono i principali fattori che contribuiscono alla sottostima della infestazione in aree metropolitane

A new case of acromegaloid facial appearance (AFA) syndrome with an expanded phenotype

A patient presenting with the findings of Acromegaloid Facial Appearance (APA) syndrome is reported. This case also shows pericardial effusion and skin lesions that both enlarge the spectrum of the phenotype and lump AFA syndrome with another proposed distinct condition [Irvine et al., (1996) J med Genet 33:972-974]. Clin Dysmorphol 9: 221-222 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins