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Abstract Strophulus prurigo, chronic skin disease widespread in Africa in general and the Congo - Brazzaville in particular is studied here in a neighborhood of the city of Brazzaville located near a watercourse. Studies conducted at 100m and 500m from the river show a frequency of infestation which is highest near water. Two arthropods are reported to cause infections in prurigo strophulus: dipteran Simulidae, Simulium albivirgulatum and an Ixodidae mite, Ixodus ricinus L. The notion of a genetic transmission of this disease is hypothetical. Suspicion of a hereditary origin of this infection is not confirmed here. Field of patients with prurigo does not seem to be atopic. The study of daily activity rhythms of Simulium albivirgulatum shows that this insect is well suited to urban areas with peaks of both diurnal and crepuscular activity, providing important human parasite pressure.
The dermatological consequences are all the more important that individuals are less covered mainly in the limbs according to their clothing habits. In addition, our results indicate a predominance of women in the prevalence of this infection, regardless of the age groups considered.
Keywords: Prurigo strophulus, arthropods, humid tropics, watercourse, sex ratio, body cover, allergy, activity rhythm.
INTRODUCTION Prurigo strophulus discovered in 1857 by Erasmus Wilson is a chronic skin disease in general and particularly in infants. It is itchy, and is due to abnormally prolonged hypersensitivity to insect bites (Larregue and Malevile, 1986; Jorizzo et al., 1981; Hanifin and Rajka, 1980; Saurat et al., 1990; Viraben, 1996; Touraine and Revuz, 1997; Beneton and Saiag, 2000).
The condition is a reaction immunoallergic to arthropod bites. The vector of strophulus prurigo is an ectoparasite, an insect or a mite. In Europe, more than 30,000 species of mites are incriminated with this disease. In Africa, some studies have implicated both the arthropod bites and the social conditions of patients (Ahogo et al., 2008). Distribution of lesions sometimes depends on the seasonal vector (Ruiz and Tamayyo, 1973; Daneshpazhooh et al.,2004).
Strophulus prurigo is a public health problem (Hyde and Montgomery, 1909; Touraine and Revuz,1997; Sangare et al. 2001; Anonymous, 2005).
Generally in Africa and specially in Congo. The rich fauna and flora are associated with significant biodiversity of biting insects and piercing-sucking mites but also warrant a thorough study...