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COLLEMBOLA (SPRINGTAILS) (ARTHROPODA:
HEXAPODA: ENTOGNATHA)
FOUND IN SCRAPINGS FROM INDIVIDUALS DIAGNOSED WITH DELUSORY
PARASITOSIS
Deborah Z. Altschuler,a
Michael Crutcher, MD, MPH, FACPM,b
Neculai Dulceanu, DVM, PhD (deceased),c
Beth A. Cervantes,a
Cristina Terinte, MD, PhD,d
and Louis N. Sorkin, BCEe
Abstract - Twenty individuals diagnosed with delusory
parasitosis participated in a single site clinical study under the
auspices of the National Pediculosis Association (NPA) and the
Oklahoma State Department of Health. The objective of this study was
to determine if there were any common factors in skin scrapings
collected from this population. These individuals, whose symptoms
were originally attributed to lice or scabies, were part of a larger
group reporting symptoms of stinging/biting and/or crawling to the
NPA. Multiple skin scrapings from each person were microscopically
examined. Any and all fields of view that appeared incongruous to
normal human skin were digitally photographed. When the photographic
images were initially evaluated, no common factor was identified.
However, more extensive scrutiny using imaging software revealed
evidence of Collembola in 18 of the 20 participants.
full-version of the article (PDF format)
original microscopy images
videos
related to the research
Literature Cited
(2004)
Additional Information on Collembola
www.stevehopkin.co.uk
Ekbom's syndrome or real ectoparasitosis? An unexpected outcome of hidden springtails
"Collembola vs head lice: A puzzling case solved by videodermoscopy" (and it wasn't head lice!)
With the publication
of these findings in the Journal of the New York Entomological
Society, the NPA is compiling information regarding the prevalence
of this condition. (Please read
our Privacy Policy)
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