ABSTRACT
Paederus dermatitis is a pruritic, self-healing dermatitis, showing vesicle and squamose in ordinary cases. It is caused by rove beetles' Paederus hemolymph coming into contact with human skin. Paederus hemolymph contains the powerful pederin toxin. Paederus ilsae Bernhaurt and Paederus iliensis Coiffait are found in southern Iran and cause numerous cases of cutaneous lesions every year, chiefly in spring and summer. This is the first report describing the pathogen of Paederus in Iran. Dermatitis caused by these two species is the same except for duration and severity which are higher in P. ilsae. Clinical manifestations of the above mentioned species in human beings and Guinea pigs are different. Laboratory tests of pederin dissolved in ethanol is also part of the study. Complications arising from secondary infections, pederin stability and local treatment are also discussed.
