OCCUPATIONAL DERMATITIS ASSOCIATED WITH STRAW ITCH MITES (PYEMOTES-VENTRICOSUS)

A 1981 outbreak of dermatitis in Austin, Texas [USA], was traced to occupational exposure to wheat infested with the straw itch mite, P. ventricosus; the wheat was being sold for decorative purposes by an imported-goods store. In addition to an extensive varicelliform skin eruption, 1 employee also had chills, fever, malaise, diarrhea and anorexia associated with her eposure to these mites. The straw itch mite has been associated with several large epidemics of dermatitis during the 19th and 20th centuries. This outbreak is the 3rd reported in Texas since 1961. Physicians should consider the possibility of straw itch mite infestations of products brought into the home or places of employment when they observe patients with a varicelliform or chigger-bite-like dermatitis, which may be accompanied by constitutional symptoms.