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Survey of bed bug infestations in homeless shelters in southern France

2023; Nature Portfolio; Volume: 13; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1038/s41598-023-38458-2

2045-2322

Bouthaina Hasnaoui, Jean-Michel Bérenger, Pascal Delaunay, Adama Zan Diarra, El Hadji Ibrahima Ndiaye, Saidou Ahamada M’madi, Noelle Masotti, Jacques Sevestre, Philippe Parola,

Vector-borne infectious diseases

Bed bug has become a major public health pest worldwide. Infestation may result in numerous negative health effects. Homeless shelters are one of the most habitats that can be infested with bed bugs, a few studies have focused on bed bug infestations in these settings. We conducted a survey of infestations of bed bugs in a homeless shelter in southern France, using an innovative seven-level scale (0-6) to assess the degree of infestation, MALDI TOF-MS to identify bed bugs, and a biomolecular tool to detect bacteria. Bed bug infestations were documented in 13% (9/68) of investigated rooms. A total of 184 bed bugs were collected and morphologically identified as Cimex lectularius. MALDI TOF-MS analysis allowed us to obtain high-quality MS spectra for all 184 specimens, to correctly identify all specimens, and included 178/184 (97%) Log Score Values higher than 1.8. Among the bacteria tested, Wolbachia sp. DNA was found in 149/184 (81%) of the bed bugs, and one sample was positive for Coxiella burnetii, the agent of Q fever. Our study is the first of its kind that offers new perspectives for increasing public awareness of the conditions in homeless shelters.