New pandemic, old bugs: A case of cimicosis (Bed Bug) in a neglected elderly patient during the coronavirus disease quarantine

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Main Authors: Gerson Dellatorre, Vidal Haddad Jr
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT) 2021
• Subjects: bed bug; Cimex lectularius; COVID-19; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0791-2020; https://doaj.org/article/11392f4ce8dc452d8e93056248302227

Abstract Bed bugs are hematophagous arthropods that can parasitize humans. During the coronavirus disease pandemic, there has been an increase in elderly neglect. A man in his 90s came to the hospital complaining of generalized pruritus. Despite being a dependent patient, he was left alone in a home by his relatives during the pandemic. Examination revealed inflammatory nodules in addition to a live bed bug crawling over his trunk. Identifying a bed bug during consultation is an uncommon feature that can help determine a particular diagnosis. As this case shows, the need for social isolation during pandemics can contribute to elder abuse and neglect.