Bite Caused by the Assassin Bug Zelus Fabricius, 1803 (Hemiptera; Heteroptera: Reduviidae) in a Human

Wilderness Environ Med. 2019 Mar;30(1):63-65. doi: 10.1016/j.wem.2018.10.002. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Abstract

A 47-y-old man was bitten by a reduviid bug from the Zelus Fabricius, 1803 genus, which was hidden inside a rubber-coated boot. The bite caused immediate and sharp pain, followed by local edema and constant pruritus for 15 d. Pain and fever within the first 24 h were managed with analgesics as needed, and resolution was complete and without sequelae after 21 d.

Keywords: acute pain; local reaction; reduviid; reduviid bug.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Dipyrone / therapeutic use
  • Fever / drug therapy
  • Fever / etiology
  • Humans
  • Insect Bites and Stings / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain / drug therapy
  • Pain / etiology
  • Pruritus
  • Reduviidae / physiology*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Dipyrone