Cimex lectularius

Cimex lectularius
	Adult
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hemiptera
Suborder:	Heteroptera
Family:	Cimicidae
Genus:	Cimex
Species:	C. lectularius
Binomial name
	Cimex lectularius; Linnaeus, 1758

Cimex lectularius, or the common bed bug, is a species of Cimicidae. Its primary hosts are humans, and it is one of the world's major "nuisance pests."

Although bed bugs can be infected with at least 28 human pathogens, no studies have found that the insects are capable of transmitting any of these to humans.^[1] They have been found with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)^[2] and with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE), but the significance of this is still unknown.^[3]

Investigations into potential transmission of HIV, MRSA, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and hepatitis E have not shown that bed bugs can spread these diseases. However, there is some evidence that arboviruses may be transmissible.^[4]

Bed bug bites or cimicosis may lead to a range of skin manifestations from no visible effects to prominent blisters.^[5] Effects include skin rashes, psychological effects, and allergic symptoms.^[6]

^ Kolb, Adam; Needham, Glen R.; Neyman, Kimberly M.; High, Whitney A. (2009). "Bedbugs". Dermatologic Therapy. 22 (4): 347–52. doi:10.1111/j.1529-8019.2009.01246.x. PMID 19580578. S2CID 221648188.
^ Melnick, Meredith (12 May 2011). "Study: Bedbugs May Carry MRSA; Germ Transmission Unclear". Time. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
^ "Do Bedbugs Spread MRSA and VRE?". Webmd.com. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
^ Adelman, ZN (Aug 2013). "Bed bugs and infectious disease: a case for the arboviruses". PLOS Pathogens. 9 (8): e1003462. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1003462. PMC 3744395. PMID 23966852.
^ James, William D.; Berger, Timothy G. (2006). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: clinical Dermatology. Saunders Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-7216-2921-6.
^ Doggett SL, Russell R (November 2009). "Bed bugs – What the GP needs to know". Aust Fam Physician. 38 (11): 880–4. PMID 19893834.

[Kolb2009-1] Kolb, Adam; Needham, Glen R.; Neyman, Kimberly M.; High, Whitney A. (2009). "Bedbugs". Dermatologic Therapy. 22 (4): 347–52. doi:10.1111/j.1529-8019.2009.01246.x. PMID 19580578. S2CID 221648188.

[2] Melnick, Meredith (12 May 2011). "Study: Bedbugs May Carry MRSA; Germ Transmission Unclear". Time. Retrieved 11 November 2013.

[3] "Do Bedbugs Spread MRSA and VRE?". Webmd.com. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2013.

[4] Adelman, ZN (Aug 2013). "Bed bugs and infectious disease: a case for the arboviruses". PLOS Pathogens. 9 (8): e1003462. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1003462. PMC 3744395. PMID 23966852.

[Andrews-5] James, William D.; Berger, Timothy G. (2006). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: clinical Dermatology. Saunders Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-7216-2921-6.

[GP2009-6] Doggett SL, Russell R (November 2009). "Bed bugs – What the GP needs to know". Aust Fam Physician. 38 (11): 880–4. PMID 19893834.

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