Risk of Attacks by Blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) and Occurrence of Severe Skin Symptoms in Bitten Patients along the Eastern Border of the European Union

Monika Sitarz, Alicja M. Buczek, Weronika Buczek, Alicja Buczek and Katarzyna Bartosik
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Monika Sitarz: Chair and Department of Conservative Dentistry with Endodontics, Faculty of Medical Dentistry, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
Alicja M. Buczek: Department of Biology and Parasitology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 20-080 Lublin, Poland
Weronika Buczek: Department of Biology and Parasitology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 20-080 Lublin, Poland
Alicja Buczek: Department of Biology and Parasitology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 20-080 Lublin, Poland
Katarzyna Bartosik: Department of Biology and Parasitology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 20-080 Lublin, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 13, 1-18

Abstract: The components of blackfly (Diptera: Simuliidae) saliva secreted during feeding on humans and animals induce various pathological reactions manifested by skin lesions and systemic symptoms. In this study, we describe 43 cases of severe skin lesions induced by blackfly bites and analyze their potential causes. Based on the results of a survey of 418 patients, we identified periods with risk of blackfly attacks and their environmental determinants in the eastern part of the European Union. Especially strong inflammatory reactions after blackfly bites were reported in patients with concomitant cardiovascular diseases (mainly with venous insufficiency), metabolic diseases, and bacterial infections. Enhanced symptoms of simuliosis were also observed in other patients attacked by these insects only once or repeatedly. The greatest number of blackfly attacks in the study area is recorded from May to July, with a peak in June (38.73%) in the afternoon (37.10%) and evening (33.03%), when patients are in fields, forests, or their households. The case analysis indicates interactions of various factors in the development of severe inflammatory reactions in patients bitten by blackflies. Therefore, it is recommended that subjects exposed to the presence of blackflies during their work or rest should limit the length of their stay in a vulnerable environment during the highest seasonal and daily activity of these insects. It is also necessary to take measures to reduce the number of blackflies and popularize methods for prophylaxis of their attacks.

Keywords: Simulium; blackfly; blackfly bites; dermatitis; simuliosis; enhanced simuliosis symptoms (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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