Staphylinidae dermatitis on Okinawa.

Abstract

A major outbreak of vesicular dermatitis occurred on Okinawa during the summer of 1966 (June-September). Approximately 2000 patients sought treatment at military medical facilities. It is estimated that there was an equal number of minor cases for which the afflicted persons did not seek medical attention. Originally it was thought the outbreak was the result of the blister beetle, family Meloidae. It was later proved that the dermatitis was the result of contact with the beetle, Paederus fuscipes Curtis (Kinki 1955), or a closely related species of the family Staphylinidae (rove beetle). The initial mistake in diagnosis was due to the little recognized effects of contact with the Paederus beetle as compared to the well known condition arising from contact with the blister beetle. This misleading idea can be explained by the peculiarity of the Staphylinidae poison usually taking 6 to 12 hr before the onset of its symptoms and another day before the formation of the typical blisters.