title: Clinical and histopathological study of Simulium (blackfly) dermatitis from North-Eastern India--a report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Simulium dermatitis is a common problem in humans and animals in areas where Simulium species occur. It is characterized by chronic eruptions of pruritic papules, vesicles, and erythematous wheals resulting from a hypersensitivity reaction to biting of simuliids or blackflies. It can result in severe skin complications where the man-biting species of Simulium are available.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report two clinical cases of Simulium dermatitis from the North-Eastern region of India. Histopathological study was carried out in one of the cases and the other one was successfully treated with medication.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinical features like intense itching, which accompanies the eruption, resulting in excoriations, scarring, and permanent hyperpigmentation were reported. Histopathological study revealed the characteristic features of Simulium bite reaction, such as vesicles filled with serous fluid, dermal edema, and perivascular infiltrates rich in eosinophils and lymphocytes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The clinical manifestations and severity of Simulium dermatitis are serious matters of concern in hypersensitive persons.
authors.affiliation: Defence Research Laboratory, Defence R & D Organisation, Tezpur, Sonitpur, Assam, India. borahsubhalaxmi28@gmail.com
authors.forename: Subhalaxmi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Borah
authors.forename: Sewali
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Goswami
authors.forename: Manisha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.forename: Imtiaz
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: Manab
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Deka
authors.forename: Pronobesh
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chattopadhyay
authors.forename: Lokendra
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001414:Bacitracin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000150:complications*; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006633:Histamine Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D007194:India; D008875:Middle Aged; D012843:Simuliidae; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D006633:Histamine Antagonists; D001414:Bacitracin; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide