Letter to Editor
Open Access
Vesicant Dermatitis due to Paederus sp.: Short
Communication
Gustavo Moreira Amorim1,2*, Letícia Dall’Oglio Whitaker1,3, Isadora Vicência Lúcio1,3,
Bruna Molozzi2, Ingrid
Reuwsaat Paul2, Roberto Moreira Amorim Filho2
1Faculty of Medicine, South Santa Catarina University
2Sector of Dermatology, Santa Teresa Hospital, Santa Catarina State Secretary for Health
3Family Health Strategy, Primary Care,Santa Catarina
2Sector of Dermatology, Santa Teresa Hospital, Santa Catarina State Secretary for Health
3Family Health Strategy, Primary Care,Santa Catarina
*Corresponding author: Gustavo Moreira Amorim, MD, Msc, 135 Duarte Schutel street, downtown, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil, Tel. No:
+5548999827097;
E-mail: @
Received: May 08, 2020; Accepted: May 15, 2020; Published: May 22, 2020
Citation: Gustavo Moreira Amorim, Letícia Dall’Oglio Whitaker, Isadora Vicência Lúcio, Bruna Molozzi et al. (2020) Vesicant Dermatitis due to Paederus sp.: Short Communication. Clin Res Dermatol Open Access 7(2): 1-3. DOI: 10.15226/2378-1726/7/2/001112
Abstract
We present a very illustrative case of dermatitis caused by
Paederus sp affecting a 3 year old healthy boy in the countryside of
Brazil. The appearing of painful bullous lesions with clear content in
a linear arrangement occurred suddenly, and was later diagnosed to
be caused by the beetle popularly known in Brazil as “Potó” which
predominate in rural areas. Treatment was realized only with local
hygiene with antiseptics and dressing in the eroded areas, in addition
to oral acetaminophen. The patient evolved with complete cure of
the lesions. We also present a brief review of vesicant dermatitis by
Paederus sp.
Keywords: Blister Beetle Dermatitis; Paederus Dermatitis; Irritant Contact Dermatitis.
Keywords: Blister Beetle Dermatitis; Paederus Dermatitis; Irritant Contact Dermatitis.
Dear Editor,
One of our doctors, recently graduated in medicine, during a
voluntary mission in the countryside Bahia, Brazil, came across
an interesting and illustrative case that we consider important to
report. She attended a 3 year old boy at the rural family outpatient
clinic, brought by his parents. The boy referred the appearance
of painful skin lesions, noticed early in that morning. He was a
healthy patient, without the use of continuous medications or
previous allergies.
He presented a good general condition, without fever or any other systemic symptoms. On dermatological examination, multiple bullous lesions were identified, with clear content, in a linear arrangement, from the left lateral thoracic region to the right lumbar region. Some lesions on apparently healthy skin areas, while in the lumbar region there was a cluster of lesions on an erythematous base, with a central erosion area. Nikolsky sign was negative. (Figures 1, 2 and 3).
During a videoconference call with our team, it was possible to establish the presumptive diagnosis of vesicant dermatitis by Paederus sp. A local nurse with extensive experience in caring for patients in that location confirmed the occurrence of similar cases in the region.
He presented a good general condition, without fever or any other systemic symptoms. On dermatological examination, multiple bullous lesions were identified, with clear content, in a linear arrangement, from the left lateral thoracic region to the right lumbar region. Some lesions on apparently healthy skin areas, while in the lumbar region there was a cluster of lesions on an erythematous base, with a central erosion area. Nikolsky sign was negative. (Figures 1, 2 and 3).
During a videoconference call with our team, it was possible to establish the presumptive diagnosis of vesicant dermatitis by Paederus sp. A local nurse with extensive experience in caring for patients in that location confirmed the occurrence of similar cases in the region.
Figures 1: Bullous lesions in a slightly linear arrangement on the left lateral
thoracic region.
Figures 2: Multiple bullous lesions, some clustered on an erythematous
base, with a central erosion area
Figures 3: A more detailed view of the lumbar plaque, with 2 bullous lesions
on the extremities and 2 central eroded areas
Patient was managed only with local hygiene with
antiseptics and dressing in the eroded areas, in addition to
oral acetaminophen. After 4 days, during reevaluation, major
improvement was seen (Figure 4).
The first record of blisters caused by beetles dates from 1901 and is assigned to Vordemanet al [1]. Blister beetle dermatitis is a cutaneous condition caused by the toxins released by blister beetles. The disease is provoked by vesicating toxins present in the body fluids of these insects, causing an acute irritant contact dermatitis [1,2]. Vesicant toxins are found in the endolymph of Paederus beetles belonging to the class Insecta, order Coleoptera
The first record of blisters caused by beetles dates from 1901 and is assigned to Vordemanet al [1]. Blister beetle dermatitis is a cutaneous condition caused by the toxins released by blister beetles. The disease is provoked by vesicating toxins present in the body fluids of these insects, causing an acute irritant contact dermatitis [1,2]. Vesicant toxins are found in the endolymph of Paederus beetles belonging to the class Insecta, order Coleoptera
Figures 4: 4-day reevaluation, showing great improvement of the lesions
and no sign of bacterial secondary infection.
(beetles), family Staphylinidae (rove beetles), subfamily
Paederinae, tribe Paederini, subtribe Paederina [3,4]. About 600
species of the subtribe Paederina (Paederus and close allies)
are known worldwide, predominating in tropical and temperate
regions, and only 4% of them are potential causes of dermatitis.
Paederus species are distributed throughout all continents
except Antarctica [3-5]. In Brazil, the vesicant dermatitis is found
mainly in the North, Northeast and Midwest regions, usually
caused by Paederus amazonicus, P. brasiliensis, P. columbinus, P.
fuscipes [6]. Although vesicant dermatitis caused by the beetle
popularly known in Brazil as "Potó" predominate in rural areas,
the disordered occupation of environments and synanthropy
contributes to a significant increase of accidents involving
arthropods in urban areas [5].
The accident with Paederus sp. occurs when the animal is crushed against the skin of exposed areas, releasing toxins (mainly Pederin) present in the hemolymph of the insect [7].
Symptoms typically begin between 24 and 48 hours, with the most common being itching and burning, and eventually progress to erythema, edema, vesiculation, pustules, crusts and exulcerations. Exposed areas of the body such as the face, neck, and arms are most affected [2,6,7]. The characteristic linear lesions are most commonly caused by the victim inadvertently crushing the beetle and reflexively brushing away the insect [2]. It is worth remembering, however, that the distribution can be bizarre. In fold areas, the “Kiss sign” may be present, in which a skin surface, juxtaposed to the other injured, reproduces the vesicant lesions by contact with toxins [7]. Most accidents are mild and less serious. But severe cases with more extensive skin involvement may have additional systemic symptoms such as fever, neuralgia, arthralgia, and vomiting [1,2].
Diagnosis can be made with clinical and epidemiological data [6]. Differential diagnosis should be made with herpes simplex, herpes zoster, contact dermatitis and phytophotodermatitis [7]. The primary treatment for vesicant dermatitis is the removal of the pederin toxin by washing with soap and water. This can be followed by application of cold wet compresses and topical steroids. Antibiotics should be reserved for cases with documented secondary infection, but not as a prophylactic measure. Oral corticosteroids are only indicated for severe cases with systemic evolvement [1,2,5-7].
The accident with Paederus sp. occurs when the animal is crushed against the skin of exposed areas, releasing toxins (mainly Pederin) present in the hemolymph of the insect [7].
Symptoms typically begin between 24 and 48 hours, with the most common being itching and burning, and eventually progress to erythema, edema, vesiculation, pustules, crusts and exulcerations. Exposed areas of the body such as the face, neck, and arms are most affected [2,6,7]. The characteristic linear lesions are most commonly caused by the victim inadvertently crushing the beetle and reflexively brushing away the insect [2]. It is worth remembering, however, that the distribution can be bizarre. In fold areas, the “Kiss sign” may be present, in which a skin surface, juxtaposed to the other injured, reproduces the vesicant lesions by contact with toxins [7]. Most accidents are mild and less serious. But severe cases with more extensive skin involvement may have additional systemic symptoms such as fever, neuralgia, arthralgia, and vomiting [1,2].
Diagnosis can be made with clinical and epidemiological data [6]. Differential diagnosis should be made with herpes simplex, herpes zoster, contact dermatitis and phytophotodermatitis [7]. The primary treatment for vesicant dermatitis is the removal of the pederin toxin by washing with soap and water. This can be followed by application of cold wet compresses and topical steroids. Antibiotics should be reserved for cases with documented secondary infection, but not as a prophylactic measure. Oral corticosteroids are only indicated for severe cases with systemic evolvement [1,2,5-7].
Figures 5: [8] Paederus species associated with vesicant dermatitis in Brazil: (a) Paederus amazonicus; (b) P. brasiliensis; (c) P. columbinus; (d) P.ferus; (e) P. mutans; (f) P. protensus and (g) P. rutilicornis
- Srihari S, Kombettu AP, Rudrappa KG, Betkerur J. Paederus dermatitis: a case series. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2017;8(5):361-364.
- Cressey BD, Mondolfi PAE, Morales RAJ, Ayala JM, Silva DAA. Dermatitis linearis: vesicatingdermatosis caused by paederus species (coleoptera: staphylinidae). Case series and review. Wilderness Environ Med. 2013;24(2):124-131.
- Frank JH. Paederus, sensulato (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae): an index and review of the taxa. Insecta Mundi. 1998;2:97–159.
- Kanamitsu K, Frank JH. Paederus, sensulato (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae): natural history and medical importance. J Med Entomol. 1987;24(2):155–191.
- Fonseca JMV, Oliveira CMN, Peluzio RJE, Zanúncio JC, Fiorezi JMS. Dermatite vesicante pelo Paederus sp.: relato de 19 casos em Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Rev bras med fam comunidade. 2012;7(25):255-258.
- Cardoso AEC, Filho LMR. Dermatite vesicante provocada pelo Paederus: uma epidemia no Nordeste. An Bra Dermatol. 1986;61(4):173-176.
- Junior HV. “Sing of the Kiss” in dermatitis caused by vesicant beetles (“potós” or Paederus sp.). An Bras Dermatol. 2014;89(6):1000-1001.
- Vieira JS. Review of the species of Paederus Fabricius, 1775 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae, Paederini) that cause dermatitis in Brazil. Master’s Dissertation, Federal University of Paraná. 2013.”