title: Irritant bullous contact dermatitis caused by a rove beetle: an illustrated clinical course.
abstract: A 26-year-old Australian female traveller in Sierra Leone presented with an irritant bullous contact dermatitis consistent with paederus dermatitis. The lesions were treated with a potent topical corticosteroid with good effect. The affected area resolved in 6 weeks and hyperpigmention persisted for months until complete resolution. This dermatitis occurs when beetles of the genus Paederus (rove beetles) are crushed on the skin, releasing pederin. The same dermatitis ensues with Australian Paederus species. Serial clinical photographs are presented which will aid Australian dermatologists in the diagnosis of this dermatitis, which presents in regional Australian patients and returned overseas travellers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Lindsay
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McGrath
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Piliouras
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Robertson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001624:Betamethasone Valerate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001517:Coleoptera; D017453:Dermatitis, Irritant / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D014195:Travel
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001624:Betamethasone Valerate