Induction of skin papillomas in the rabbit, Oryctologus cuniculus, by bites of a blood-sucking insect, Cimex lectularius, irradiated by gamma rays

Journal Article · Wed Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · Journal of Investigative Dermatology; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/1523-1747.ep12319755· OSTI ID:5155335

el-Mofty, M M; Sakr, S A; Younis, M W ^[1]

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1. Alexandria Univ. (Egypt)

Bed bugs, Cimex lectularius, irradiated with gamma rays were allowed to suck blood from shaved areas of the skin of rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus, 2 times/week for 5 months and then once weekly for another 5 months. This significantly induced the formation of skin papillomas and sweat gland hyperplasia in five out of nine experimental animals. It is speculated that the saliva of the irradiated bugs was activated by gamma rays and was responsible for the induction of skin papillomas. Because bed bugs play a significant role in the transmission of virus, it is also speculated that there is a virus in the saliva of bugs; this virus may be activated by gamma radiation and causes the development of papillomas in the skin.

• OSTI ID: 5155335
• Journal Information: Journal of Investigative Dermatology; (USA), Vol. 93:5; ISSN 0022-202X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
INSECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
RABBITS
SKIN DISEASES
GAMMA RADIATION
SALIVA
VIRUSES
ANIMALS
ARTHROPODS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BODY FLUIDS
DISEASES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
INVERTEBRATES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MAMMALS
MATERIALS
MICROORGANISMS
PARASITES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
VERTEBRATES
560152* - Radiation Effects on Animals- Animals