Emerg Infect Dis. Bedbugs as Vectors for Drug-Resistant Bacteria

[Giuseppe]

[Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal, full PDF document (LINK). Extract, edited.]

DOI: 10.3201/eid1706101978

Suggested citation for this article: Lowe CF, Romney MG. Bedbugs as vectors for drug-resistant bacteria [letter]. Emerg Infect Dis. 2011 Jun; [Epub ahead of print]

Bedbugs as Vectors for Drug-Resistant Bacteria


To the Editor:

Over the past 10 years in North America and western Europe, a resurgence of bedbugs (Cimex lectularius) has occurred (1). Although the basis for this resurgence is unclear, large bedbug infestations have been attributed to increased worldwide travel, altered insecticide management, and increased resistance to pesticides (2). Marginalized populations in large urban centers appear to be disproportionately affected; ≈30% of shelters in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, report bedbugs (1). We report recovery of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) from bedbugs in Vancouver, British Columbia.

(?)


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[Emily]

Re: Emerg Infect Dis. Bedbugs as Vectors for Drug-Resistant Bacteria

http://scienceblogs.com/aetiology/2011/05/mrsa_and_bedbugs.php

'Tara C. Smith is an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology. Her research involves a number of pathogens at the animal-human nexus. "

An ahead-of-print paper in Emerging Infectious Diseases is generating some buzz in the mainstream media. While the findings are interesting, I'm honestly not sure how they got published, being so preliminary.
[snip]
Still, the paper is really, really, really sparse on data. I'll sum up with words expressed in the newspaper story above:

"Medical health officer Dr. Reka Gustafson said the St. Paul's study is so small that no public health warning is necessary. She noted the superbug MRSA can be found on "doctors' ties" and chairs in public places and that it's more important to counsel people "to wash their hands thoroughly and use antibiotics wisely.""

I saw a warning on a pest control company's blog during a previous media focus on bedbugs regarding the public getting panicked and endangering themselves with the use of pesticides. If I remember right, they were concerned about a particular pest strip used by professionals for fumigation. It is odorless and is supposed to be used in vacant rooms, followed by vigorous ventilation. They thought if people used the strips in occupied bedrooms, occupants could die.

(I've been looking for the reference for that ever since the Thailand situation, but have not been able to find it.)