What can bedbugs become infected with?

What can bedbugs become infected with? - briefly

Bed bugs can harbor bacteria such as methicillin‑resistant Staphylococcus aureus, hepatitis B virus, and the parasite Wolbachia, though they are not confirmed vectors of human disease. Transmission to people under normal circumstances has not been demonstrated.

What can bedbugs become infected with? - in detail

Bedbugs feed exclusively on blood, exposing them to a wide range of microorganisms present in their hosts. Their biology allows ingestion, temporary survival, and sometimes replication of certain pathogens.

Bacterial agents that have been documented in bedbugs include:

  • Borrelia spp. – DNA of Lyme‑causing spirochetes detected after feeding on infected rodents.
  • Bartonella henselae – DNA found in laboratory‑reared insects after exposure to infected blood.
  • Rickettsia spp. – DNA of spotted‑fever group organisms recovered from field‑collected specimens.
  • Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes – viable cells isolated from the gut after feeding on contaminated blood.

Viral agents:

  • Arboviruses such as West Nile virus and Sindbis virus have been shown to persist in the gut for several days, though transmission to humans has not been demonstrated.
  • Hepatitis B virus DNA detected in engorged insects; viability remains uncertain.
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RNA recovered from fed bugs, but no evidence of replication or transmission.

Fungal organisms:

  • Candida albicans – viable cells recovered from the cuticle and digestive tract after exposure to colonized blood.
  • Aspergillus fumigatus spores found on exoskeletons of field specimens, suggesting passive carriage.

Parasitic and other microorganisms:

  • Nematodes such as Strongyloides stercoralis larvae detected in the gut after feeding on infected hosts.
  • Mite eggs occasionally adhere to the exoskeleton, providing a route for co‑infestation.

Research indicates that while bedbugs can acquire and retain diverse microbes, most do not serve as efficient vectors for human disease. Their capacity to transmit pathogens appears limited to mechanical transfer rather than biological amplification. Continuous surveillance of wild populations is essential to assess emerging risks.