A case report of tropical rat mite infestation Ornithonyssus bacoti (Dermanyssidae: Acarina) in Ahvaz, SW Iran

Ornithonyssus bacoti (tropical rat mite) is associated with rats throughout the world. Infestation of human follows by rat control or when the rodent is not available. It`s bite is painful, causing intense itching and a skin irritation known as rat-mite dermatitis. In this case report, a 35-year-old woman was affected by O. bacoti in neurosurgery department of Golestan hospital. It had been applied of rodenticide for mice control in previous days. She had cutaneous sign in neck, shoulders, face, and upper trunk. The patient was treated with topical corticosteroids and antihistamines. Transmission of some pathogen agents such as Rickettsia and bacterial by O. bacoti is important. It is suggested that in rat control program, insecticide should be applied to control mites that escape their host.