AEDES-ALBOPICTUS IN EUROPE - A NEW CHALLENGE FOR DERMATOLOGISTS

A patient is reported who was bitten by Aedes albopictus, commonly kno wn as tiger mosquito. The biology of the insect, originally living in the forests of south-eastern Asia, and its role in transmitting exotic infectious agents is discussed. Up to this day, only Albania and nort hern Italy have been colonized, but the biologic characteristics of th e insect make its spreading all over Europe highly probable, unless se rious attempts to eradicate it are quickly undertaken. Dermatologists should think of the tiger mosquito in the presence of painful, purpuri c, large wheals and when patients report a history of multiple attack during daylight.