Dermatite vésicante à Paederus au Cameroun et revue de littérature

Abstract

This irritant blister dermatitis is caused by the genus Paederus whose geographical distribution is worldwide, with a higher incidence in tropical areas. It is induced by direct skin contact with pederin, a blistering and caustic substance found in the abdomen (coelome) of Paederus insects (insect order Coleoptera: family Staphylinidae). The diagnosis is based on the presence of typical clinical features combined with compatible epidemiological features. Our goal is to describe the epidemiological and clinical features of this irritant contact dermatitis in Cameroon through a retrospective study conducted at the end of the rainy season at the Oku Hospital in Northwest Cameroon and to also include cases reported at the medical center of the French Embassy in Yaounde during this same timeframe. In addition, we conducted a literature review of paederus dermatitis. Nineteen patients were included in this study. More than half of the patients presented with more than two lesions predominantly localized to the face or the neck; less than half had complications manifesting as either localized or respiratory reactions and three patients presented periorbital involvement. This study confirms the presence of paederus dermatitis in Cameroon. It is mainly localized in the unusual geoclimatic region of the western high mountains within the country, as well as the usual warm, moist areas of Yaounde. The clinical evolution of this dermatitis is usually one of spontaneous and uneventful resolution with complications being rare. Curative treatment is one of localized topical therapies while oral antibiotic therapy should be reserved for more complicated cases.

Dermatite à Paederus ou Pédérose au retour du Mexique

“…L'évolution est spontanément favorable en 8 à 10 jours, sans séquelle. Plusieurs espèces de Paederus existent à travers le monde et sont responsables de périodes d'épidémies (2)(3)(4), principalement en Afrique, Asie du Sud, Amérique du Sud et Méditerranée (1). Ces insectes prolifèrent en période humide et chaude en fin de saison des pluies, et sont particulièrement présents au coucher du soleil, attirés par les lumières artificielles.…”

“…Les populations locales ont recours à des remèdes variés (1), tous avec un but symptomatique. L'application d'un antiseptique topique peut être proposée, ainsi qu'un anti-histaminique si le prurit est intense (1). Le diagnostic différentiel principal est la phytophotodermatose, il convient également d'évoquer une infection virale herpétique ou zostérienne, un eczéma de contact, ou une dermatose induite par un autre insecte vésicant comme les coléoptères du genre cantharide ou staphylin (1).…”