The Goddard Guide to Arthropods of Medical Importance, Seventh Edition

Covering all major arthropods of medical importance worldwide, this award-winning resource has established itself as a standard reference for almost 25 years. With the globilization of commerce and the world becoming more intimately connected through the everyday ease of travel, unknown arthropod species are being increasingly encountered. This means access to up-to-date, authoritative information in medical entomology has never been more important. Now in its seventh edition, this book maintains its well-acclaimed status as the ultimate easy-to-use guide to identify disease-carrying arthropods, the common signs and symptoms of vector-borne diseases, and the current recommended procedures for treatment.

Includes an in-depth chapter with diagnostic aids to help physicians to recognize and accurately diagnose arthropod-related diseases and conditions more easily Updates all chapters with the latest medical and scientific findings, including Zika virus, red meat allergy, new viruses found in ticks, and vaccine development for malaria and dengue fever Presents a greater medical parasitology emphasis throughout Offers electronic downloads containing additional photographs of arthropod-caused diseases and lesions, as well as instructional videos with pest identification aids, basic entomology, and insect and pest ecology.

Illustrated throughout with detailed color images to aid identification, The Goddard Guide to Arthropods of Medical Importance, Seventh Edition will remain an essential guide for physicians, public health officials, and pest control professionals.

Chapter 4 Bites abstract

Bites by arthropods can be as medically significant as stings, especially for hypersensitive individuals. If a patient recalls no insect or arachnid exposure, arthropod bites may pose frequent difficulty in diagnosis; however, bites should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any patient complaining of itching. Arthropod bites basically consist of punctures made by the mouthparts of bloodsucking insects; the actual mechanical injury to human skin is generally minimal; however, in the case of horse flies, there may be more tissue damage owing to their slashing–lapping feeding method and their large size. Insect mouthparts, at least in the medically important species, can be generally divided into three broad categories: biting and chewing, sponging, and piercing–sucking. By far the most lesions on human skin are produced by the host’s immune reactions to the offending arthropod salivary secretions or venom.

Chapter 8 Identification of Medically Important Arthropods Abstract

Precise identification of an offending arthropod is extremely important in medical settings and may have far-reaching implications; for example, a person stung by a non-dangerous scorpion does not need the expensive and intense treatments that a person stung by a more deadly species needs. The traditional method for identifying arthropods is morphological, i.e., basing the identification on size, shape, or number of certain morphological characters. Molecular identification of arthropods involves a genetic analysis obtained by grinding up the arthropod in question. Both morphological and molecular identification techniques have pros and cons, but ultimately a decision to use one or the other must be made based on the available equipment, knowledge, and resources. In addition, the purpose of the identification must be considered; if determination of the developmental stage is required, or if physical characteristics or general fitness are a point of concern, morphological analysis will provide the best information.

Chapter 22 Lice Abstract

This chapter presents information on the medical importance, geographic distribution, and biological aspects of body lice, head lice, and pubic lice. It provides recommended procedures for treatment for these lice. The body louse, Pediculus humanus humanus, is a blood-feeding ectoparasite of humans. Body and head lice look almost identical, but head lice remain more or less on the scalp and body lice on the body or in clothing. Because body lice infest both the patient and his or her clothing, control strategies involve frequently changing clothing, washing infested garments in very hot water or having them dry-cleaned, and using pediculicidal lotions or shampoos. Management of head lice infestations requires three general steps: delousing infested individuals, with retreatment as necessary; removing nits from the hair as thoroughly as possible; and delousing personal items (clothes, hats, combs, pillows, etc.). An important principle of head lice management is to treat all infested members of a family concurrently.