Allergic reactions and dermatitis due to Polyphaga aegyptiaca (Blattodea: Polyphagidae): A case report from Rafsanjan, southeast of Iran

Background: Egyptian cockroach (Polyphaga aegyptiaca) is one of the most widely distributed of these large species. These insects found in North Africa, some part of Mediterranean region and Middle East such as Iran. In generally, allergy to cockroaches is an emerging problem, especially in urban communities and inner-city areas. Human reactions to Egyptian cockroach have rarely been recorded.Objectives: We present the first reported a patient with a severe allergic reactions and dermatitis to Egyptian cockroach in an adobe house, in Iran to inform healthcare providers for better diagnosis and treatment of future cases.Material and Methods: An 80-year-old male who resided at adobe house in Rafsanjan city with a medical history of diabetes mellitus and allergy, but already he hadn’t any skin disorder. He had bite signs and severe itching on his right foot and referred to Moradi Hospital of Rafsanjan city in June 2019. At the physical examinations, the signs were identified as skin reactions and excoriated dermatitis related to insect bite reaction. The patient s house was visited by a medical entomology expert. Some insects were observed around the patient s bed and the specimens were collected and referred to Department of vector biology and control, School of Health, Kerman University of Medical Science, and identified by the use of valid diagnostic key under stereomicroscope.Results: The insect specimens were collected and identified as the Egyptian cockroach, Polyphaga aegyptiaca (Blattodea: Polyphagidae). After 1 day, a lesion that included dermatitis and urticaria was observed on his foot. Also, after 2 days, the patient had inflammation and pain on his foot. The cutaneous allergic reactions and dermatitis resolved after 2 weeks by using a corticosteroid cream, an oral antihistamine and antibiotics. So, dermatitis due to cockroaches must be classified as protein contact dermatitis, contact urticaria may also occur.Conclusion: Due to exist of Egyptian cockroach at adobe houses in Iran, in order to decrease bites from these insects, it is necessary to increase public awareness and knowledge regarding prevent and control of cockroaches.

کلیدواژه ها:

Egyptian cockroach ، Allergic reactions ، Dermatitis ، Case report ، Iran