Cimicosis in Persons Previously Fed Upon by Bed Bugs

Introduction Bed bug infestations have risen dramatically in many industrialized nations in recent decades. Most people fed upon by bed bugs will develop a pruritic rash although the frequency with which this occurs is not definitively known and may depend on host factors including the duration of the infestation. Methods Surveys were completed from 706 emergency department (ED) patients in Cleveland, OH about their current and past exposure with bed bugs. Subjects were asked about any post-bed bug feeding rashes that developed. Results There were 24% (169/698) of subjects reporting either a current or past home bed bug infestation, with 37% (253/698) reporting they had previously been fed upon by a bed bug. Of those reporting a previous bed bug feeding, 68% (172/253) reported a pruritic post-bed bug feeding rash and 24% (57/237) reported developing a blister. Overall, 5% (37/705) of ED patients reported currently having a rash, but only 2% (14/698) of ED patients reported currently have bed bugs at home and of those, only 14% (2/14) said they currently had a rash. Conclusion While 68% of ED patients reported a pruritic post-bed bug feeding pruritic rash, almost a third of persons did not report developing the rash. Post-bed bug feeding blister reactions are less common. Asking ED patients about a rash had a low sensitivity of 14% (2-43%) and a specificity 95% (93-96%) to identify persons reporting home bed bugs.