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LETTERS: John Paul and Janice Bates Is infestation with the common bedbug increasing? BMJ 2000; 320: 1141 [Full text]

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The bed bug

J K Anand   (28 April 2000)

Bed bugs and Needle-sticks

James E Parker   (2 May 2000)

Remarkable powers of the bedbug

R E Stewart   (3 May 2000)

Can bed bugs attach to you if you go into a room in day time

Ron Corbett   (11 February 2001)

The bed bug 28 April 2000
J K Anand Send response to journal: Re: The bed bug	Editor - Paul and Bates(1) give a welcome wake-up call to slumbering doctors. However, I am itching to say that they have over-simplified things a bit. Firstly, although the Common bed bug is C. lectularius, the tropical bed bug is C.hemipterus, also known as C. rotundus. There may be, by now, hybrid forms. Leptocimex biueti is an African bed bug. Paul and Bates cite Patton(2) in support of the statement that bed bugs can survive six months without feeding. However, according to Jameson and Parkinson (3), bed bugs can survive without food for "about one year and even longer under certain conditions." Although blood is essential food for these bugs, in the absence of Homo sapiens they will make do with other mammals and even birds. The length of survival of these bugs could be of importance when considering the possibility of mechanical transmission of certain viral infections (hepatitis or HIV for example) by the bite of a bed bug. If a needle-stick can result in such transmission, then it stands to reason that so can a bed bug bite. Paul and Bates raise the possibility of an increase in bed bug infestation. Whilst it would be impossible to arrange an accurate census, Paul and Bates could, if they wish, ask the Environmental Health Officers and the MOsEH for the data they hold. (Before the 1974 Reorganisation of the NHS, the MOH would have been able to assist in such matters.) J K ANAND (retired public health physician) References: 1. Paul J, BatesJ. Is infestation with the common bed bug increasing? BMJ 2000;320: 1141 2. Patton WS. , Insects, Ticks and venomous animals of medical and veterinary importance. PartII, Croydon:Grubb, 1931 3. Jameson and Parkinson' Synopsis of Hygiene.Editors : Llwelyn Roberts and Shaw. 1952, p 249.
Bed bugs and Needle-sticks 2 May 2000
James E Parker, Retired Paediatrician 289 McCallum Rd Abbotsford B.C Canada Send response to journal: Re: Bed bugs and Needle-sticks	'Big bugs have little bugs upon their backs to bite'em And little bugs have smaller bugs and so on ...ad infinitum ' This ditty came to mind on reading Dr Anand's entertaining and cogent response to Paul and Bates editorial question 'Is infestation with the common bed bug increasing ?' (BMJ 2000; 320: 1141 ). Dr Anand's thoughts, regarding mechaanical transmission of certain viral infections (hepatitis and HIV) -'If a needle-stick can result in such transmission then it stands to reason that so can a bed bug bite', beg further questions and pondering the imponderable. Has anyone for instance ever tested bed-bug blood for HIV ?. Is this feasible or physiological ?. Are there problems here with informed consent or a danger that the bed bug may be unnecessarily stigmatized !?. On the other hand if true would not such a finding destigmatize the STD connotation of HIV itself rendering unconstrained early screening procedures more appropriate ?. If there is any element of possibility in Dr Anand's inference an urgent rethink of HIV/AIDS policy is indicated. Such a finding as with needlestick infection itself would add one more nail to the coffin of HIV exceptionalism. James E Parker
Remarkable powers of the bedbug 3 May 2000
R E Stewart, Retired general practitioner Edinburgh Send response to journal: Re: Remarkable powers of the bedbug	Paul and Bates' letter about bedbugs ( BMJ Vol 320 22.4.00 ) encouraged me re-read a delightful book entitled " The Minor Horrors of War " published in 1915. The author was Dr A E Shipley, Master of Christ's College, Cambridge and Reader in Zoology in the University. He describes the habits of many parasites including lice, fleas, mites, ticks and leeches and includes a detailed chapter on bedbugs. Quoted is the poem of an American author who emphasises the remarkable power of the bed bug to seek out its victim:- The Lightning-bug has wings of gold, The June-bug wings of flame, The Bed-bug has no wings at all, But it gets there all the same! The various chapters were first published in the British Medical Journal and the book was published with the permission of the editor and proprietors. Presumably the intention was to make it readily available for the troops serving in France during the Great War. Dr R E Stewart, retired general practitioner 9C/1 Merchiston Park, Edinburgh, EH10 4PW Robin.Stewart@ecosse.net
Can bed bugs attach to you if you go into a room in day time 11 February 2001
Ron Corbett, Warden @ Sheltered Housing Greenhaven Bristol Send response to journal: Re: Can bed bugs attach to you if you go into a room in day time	I found a bed bug on my hand to day. Yesterday I entered a void flat to assess how much property was to be moved. Will I have to have my flat fumigated!!!