Analysis of Bed Bug ( Cimex lectularius ) Introductions Into an Academic Medical Center

Ridge

et al. 2019

Cureus

To measure the population size and fecundity of the common bed bug Cimex lectularius L. (C. lectularius) after feeding it with the blood obtained from human subjects who have consumed a single dose of ivermectin. Methods Serial blood samples were obtained from two human subjects at hour 0 (control) and 4-96 hours after they received a single 0.2 mg/kg dose of ivermectin. The blood samples were then fed to 2,273 bed bugs. Bed bug incapacitation rates, fecundity, and population sizes were recorded over a 54-day period. Whole blood ivermectin levels were measured in the human subjects and the insects. Results The fold change in the size of the control group population over the course of the experiment was found to be 2.16. This was significantly greater (p: <.001) than for all the post-ivermectin feeding groups (range:-11.04-1.43). Two weeks after the experiment, the number of eggs laid per live adult female bed bug per day was 10.74 for controls, which was significantly different (p: <0.001) compared to all the post-ivermectin feeding groups (range: 0-4.28). Conclusions There were significant reductions in C. lectularius population size and fecundity in insects that fed on blood obtained from human study subjects up to 96 hours after they have consumed a single oral dose of ivermectin.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Benefit of a Single Oral Dose of Ivermectin in Humans: The Adverse Effects on Cimex lectularius L. Populations and Fecundity

Ridge

et al. 2019

Cureus

“…The study population involved EMS agencies in and around Cleveland, Ohio, which is one of the most bed bug-infested cities in the United States [20]. At UH Cleveland Medical Center (UHCMC), a bed bug is found in the facilities on average every 2.2 days and every three to six days in the ED; however, the true number is likely underreported [6,[21][22][23]. A survey of UHCMC ED patients found that about one in 50 reported an active home bed bug infestation; 37% (253/680) reported a past history of being fed on by a bed bug, and 59% (415/702) reported knowing someone other than persons living in their home having a bed bug infestation in the past five years [4,5].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge, Experience, and Concerns Regarding Bed Bugs Among Emergency Medical Service Providers

Hamid

Chang

et al. 2020

Cureus

“…The survey took place in Cleveland, OH, one of the most bed bug infested areas in the United States, and it shows that bed bug infestations are a significant problem for many of our ED patients [10]. The hospital in which the survey was performed previously reported finding a bed bug in the institution approximately every 2 days, with most insects found in the ED at a frequency of every 3-5 days [2, 5]. The direct annual costs for the ED to decontaminate a patient room due to a bed bug were approximately $50,000 per year [5].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Very little is known about the epidemiology of bed bugs in the emergency department (ED). For instance, the number of bed bug introductions in the ED is unknown and likely underreported partly because healthcare workers predominantly only find the larger insects, and no International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) code exists for bed bug infested patients to study the problem [1, 2]. It is unclear if older and sicker ED patients are more likely to have a home bed bug infestation as well as the degree to which the insect can contribute to excess morbidity [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics of Bed Bug Infested Patients in the Emergency Department

Emergency Medicine International

Crandall

Chang

et al. 2019

Cimex lectularius L., the common bed bug, is a hematophagous human ectoparasite that has undergone a global resurgence in the past two decades. We surveyed 706 active emergency department (ED) patients about their experiences with bed bugs. We found that 2% of ED patients reported having a current bed bug infestation, significantly more than the historical number of ED patients upon which we find bed bug; 37% of ED patients report previously having been fed on by a bed bug; 15% currently know someone with an active infestation; and 59% know someone that has had an infestation within ≤ 5 years. Only 18% of bed bug infested patients reported their infestation to emergency medicine providers and only 21% were put in isolation precautions. We found that 25% of patients with bed bugs worried about receiving worse healthcare because of their infestation. Persons with bed bugs were more likely compared to those without bed bugs to be older (52 vs. 41 years) and arrive by ambulance (57% vs. 14%) (p < 0.05), but not reporting insomnia (50% vs. 49%) (p = 1.0). Bed bug infested patients can be common in the ED. Most bed bug infested patients are older, arrive to the ED by ambulance, do not report their infestation to healthcare providers, and are not adequately placed into isolation precautions, potentially putting other patients and providers at risk for acquiring the infestation.