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Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus are the most common species of bedbugs that infest homes. Although case reports decreased substantially by the end of the 20th century, bed bugs, and especially C. lectularius, are currently suffering a resurgence mostly attributed to insecticide resistance, inadequate pest control, and increased travel. Here, we report, to the best of our knowledge, the first molecular confirmation of C. lectularius in Central America. Specimens were obtained from an apartment located in Heredia, Costa Rica. These specimens were identified morphologically as C. lectularius. The species identification was confirmed by amplifying and sequencing fragments of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and the 16S rRNA (16S) genes. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the sequences obtained were more closely related to a C. lectularius mitochondrial complete genome sequence from China, with similarities of 98.84% (686/694) for COI and 98.97% (387/391) for 16S. The finding of C. lectularius in Costa Rica will require further investigation in order to determine the extent of current infestations and the susceptibility to insecticides, especially due to the impact that this species can have in human health, as well as the tourism industry in the region.

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Abstract: Human, dog, and cat fleas, as well as bedbugs, feed by biting their victims, causing acute prurigo, which is aggravated in sensitized victims (papular urticaria). The lesions appear in the classic "breakfast, lunch, and dinner" pattern. There are two main explanations: the parasites "map" the skin area in search of the best places to bite, and their removal when victim scratches, and then reattach to the skin. Treatments aim to control pruritus, as well as hypersensitivity reactions when necessary. Prevention is based on environmental control measures. The "breakfast, lunch, and dinner" sign is a definitive marker for diagnosis and the parasite´s identification and control.

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Cimex lectularius ("percevejo-de-cama") é um hemíptero da família Cimicidae que normalmente parasita seres humanos. Descrevese uma infestação por esta espécie em uma escola rural do município de Duas Barras, estado do Rio de Janeiro, associada a relatos de queixas de irritação e prurido por parte de alguns indivíduos da comunidade escolar. Durante a inspeção do local, os insetos foram encontrados no forro do estabelecimento junto a sujidades e penas de psitacídeos, sendo posteriormente identificados como Cimex lectularius. A confirmação da colonização de espécie de hemíptera hematófago no forro do estabelecimento escolar inspecionado serve de alerta às autoridades para melhoria na construção e manutenção das edificações públicas, em especial escolas, hospitais, asilos e penitenciárias. Esforços deverão ser feitos para se conhecer a real magnitude do parasitismo por C. lectularius no Brasil, tendo em vista seu grande potencial endofílico e de dispersão.

The Cimex lectularius ("bed bug") is a hemipterus of the Cimicidae family. It is usually a human being parasite. An infestation by that species is reported to have taken place at a rural school in the municipality of Duas Barras, in the State of Rio de Janeiro. Some individuals of the school community complained about itching and irritation. During an onsite inspection insects were found in the building's ceiling, together with dirt and parrot feathers. They were subsequently identified as Cimex lectularius. The confirmation of colonization by a blood hemipterus species at the inspected school ceiling should serves as a warning to the authorities, so that they may improve the construction and maintenance of public buildings, especially, schools, hospitals, care centers and prisons. Efforts should be made to learn about the actual magnitude of parasitism by C. lectularius in Brazil, taking into consideration its great endophilic and dissemination potential.

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Cimex lectularius (percevejo de cama) é um hemíptero da família Cimicidae que normalmente parasita seres humanos. Descreve-se uma infestação por esta espécie em uma escola rural do município de Duas Barras, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, associada a relatos de queixas de irritação e prurido por parte de alguns indivíduos da comunidade escolar. Durante a inspeção do local os insetos foram encontrados no forro do estabelecimento junto a sujidades e penas de psitacídeos, sendo posteriormente identificados como Cimex lectularius.  A confirmação da colonização de espécie de hemíptera hematófago no forro do estabelecimento escolar inspecionado serve de alerta às autoridades para melhoria na construção e manutenção das edificações públicas, em especial escolas, hospitais, asilos e penitenciárias. Esforços deverão ser feitos para se conhecer a real magnitude do parasitismo por C. lectularius no Brasil, tendo em vista seu grande potencial endofílico e de dispersão. 

The Cimex lectularius (“bed bug”) is a hemipterus of the Cimicidae family. It is usually a human being parasite. An infestation by that species is reported to have taken place at a rural school in the municipality of Duas Barras, in the State of Rio de Janeiro. Some individuals of the school community complained about itching and irritation. During an onsite inspection insects were found in the buildings ceiling, together with dirt and parrot feathers. They were subsequently identified as Cimex lectularius. The confirmation of colonization by a blood hemipterus species at the inspected school ceiling should serves as a warning to the authorities, so that they may improve the construction and maintenance of public buildings, especially, schools, hospitals, care centers and prisons. Efforts should be made to learn about the actual magnitude of parasitism by C. lectularius in Brazil, taking into consideration its great endophilic and dissemination potential.(AU)

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Bedbugs have been known as a human parasite for thousands of years, but scientific studies about this insect are recent and limited. Cimex lectularius, the common bedbug, was a well-known parasite in human dwellings until the end of the Second World War. Nowadays, bedbugs are considered uncommon in the industrialized world. Anecdotal reports suggest that bedbugs are getting more common in the United States, Canada, and United Kingdom. In Brazil, there are few reports about bedbug infestations in the literature. The aim of this article was to alert physicians, especially in Brazil, about this ectoparasitosis, including aspects of the bedbug biology, their parasitism in human host, treatment and prophylaxis.

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Descrevemos uma doente de 19 anos que nos procurou com quadro de intenso prurido há 2 semanas e demonstrando lesões eritêmato-pápulo-urticadas mais intensamente distribuídas nos membros superiores e inferiores. A anamnese detalhada excluiu causas internas e medicamentos como uma possível causa do prurigo. Após orientações quanto a dedetização do domicílio a doente retornou no consultório após 3 semanas sem lesões cutâneas e trazendo em um pote de vidro vários percevejos coletados após a dedetização.

This report describes a 19-year old female patient, who sought medical attention for severe itching of two weeks' duration. Erythematous papules and wheals were found, principally on her upper and lower limbs. Careful anamnesis excluded other etiologies of the pruritus, including those related to internal diseases and medication. Following counseling regarding the need to contract a domestic pest control company, the patient returned to the clinic three weeks later with no skin lesions and bearing a glass jar containing several bedbugs collected following pest control treatment.

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