Goddard J
Bureau of Environmental Health, Mississippi State Department of Health, Jackson 39215, USA.
South Med J. 1995 Aug;88(8):837-9. doi: 10.1097/00007611-199508000-00008.
Delusions of parasitosis (DOP) is a psychiatric disorder in which people have an unshakable false belief that they are infested with arthropod parasites. To rid themselves of the "bugs" patients with DOP may become desperate and quit their jobs, burn furniture, abandon homes, and use pesticides dangerously and repeatedly. Data from 11 cases of DOP, reported to the Mississippi Department of Health between 1989 and 1993, are presented in an attempt to identify common factors among the cases. Seven of the 11 patients (64%) were elderly white women. Five patients complained of "mites," 3 of "insects," and 3 of "bugs"; and all characteristically offered "proof" of their infestation such as bits of debris or skin scrapings wrapped in paper or in tiny jars. Only one complained of itching. Six patients reported extensive use of pesticides. These results elucidate the clinical presentation of DOP cases, thus aiding in diagnosis of the disorder.
寄生虫妄想症（DOP）是一种精神疾病，患者坚信自己感染了节肢动物寄生虫，这种信念坚定不移。为了摆脱这些“虫子”，患有寄生虫妄想症的患者可能会变得不顾一切，辞去工作、焚烧家具、弃家而去，还会危险且反复地使用杀虫剂。本文呈现了1989年至1993年间向密西西比州卫生部报告的11例寄生虫妄想症病例的数据，旨在找出这些病例中的共同因素。11名患者中有7名（64%）是老年白人女性。5名患者称感染了“螨虫”，3名称感染了“昆虫”，3名称感染了“虫子”；所有患者都典型地提供了感染的“证据”，比如包在纸里或小罐子里的碎片或皮肤刮屑。只有1名患者抱怨瘙痒。6名患者报告大量使用了杀虫剂。这些结果阐明了寄生虫妄想症病例的临床表现，从而有助于该疾病的诊断。
