Ticks on the external male genital structures.

Penis and scrotum are very rarely affected by tick bites. We present four cases of involvement of male genitals by ticks belonging to the family Ixodidae. Dermatological examination showed an apparently healthy skin around the tick. Anti-Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies were negative. In all patients the entire body of the tick was delicately removed by means of pliers. Antibiotic therapy was unnecessary.

Three cases of cutaneous myiasis caused by Cordylobia rodhaini.

Cordylobia sp. is a fly belonging to the Calliphoridae family. Three species of Cordylobia are known: C. anthropophaga, C. rodhaini and C. ruandae. The C. rodhaini Gedoelst 1909 lives in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially in rain forest areas. Usual hosts are rodents and antelopes. Humans are accidentally infested. Myiasis caused by C. rodhaini has been very rarely reported in the literature. We present three cases of C. rodhaini myiasis acquired in Ethiopia and Uganda.

Paederus fuscipes dermatitis: a report of nine cases observed in Italy and review of the literature.

Paederus sp. is a beetle belonging to Staphylinidae family and Coleoptera order. Its distribution is worldwide, especially in hot climates. Over 600 species of Paederus are known, approximately 50 are able to cause an irritant contact dermatitis. When the beetle is accidentally crushed on the skin, it releases pederin, a potent toxin with vesicating action. In Europe, only anecdotical cases of Paederus sp. dermatitis have been reported. Since 1993, we have observed approximately 25 patients with suspected Paederus sp. dermatitis. In 9 the clinical diagnosis was confirmed because Paederus fuscipes were found. The case list includes 6 males and 3 females, ages ranging from 6 to 53 years (mean age: 26.3 years). Six patients presented with one lesion and 3 with 2 lesions. Eyelids (3 patients), shoulders (3), neck (2), cheek (1), breast (1), back (1) and calf (1) were involved. All patients showed erythema, 2 oedema, 2 blisters, 1 vesicles, 1 pustules and 1 crusts. In the patient with pustules, bacteriological examinations were negative. A biopsy was carried out in 4 patients. In the early stages, spongiosis with exocytosis of neutrophils was observed. Vesicles with neutrophils and necrosis of the epidermis were typical of the advanced stage. Oedema of the dermis and a mixed infiltrate, with eosinophils, neutrophils and lymphocytes, in the papillary and upper reticular dermis, were also observed. Direct immunofluorescence was negative in all patients. Paederus sp. should also be considered in temperate climates as a possible aetiological agent in cases of acute dermatitis.