Abstract

Bed bugs are human ectoparasites that include two species Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus. The aim of this paper is to answer a main question: Do bed bugs (Cimex spp.) can transmit viruses to human? In total, five experimental studies included in this paper have focused on viruses that bed bugs can transmit after artificial feeding. Human bed bugs cannot transmit viruses as mechanical or biological transmission to humans in the field, and presently there is no evidence on this aspect. In conclusion, further research is needed to better find the transmission ways of new virus by bed bugs.

Keywords: Bed bugs; Cimex spp; Viruses; Transmit; Human

Abbreviations:HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus; HBV: Hepatitis B Virus; HCV: Hepatitis C Virus