The Predicted Implications of Paederin Exposure to the Eye: A Paederus Outbreak During the Sudan War in 2025
Khalil Ali Ibraheim, Hassan Yousif Adam Regal, Abdalkhaleg Adam Mohammedani, Hussain G Ahmed

TL;DR
This study examines the effects of paederin exposure on the eyes during a Paederus beetle outbreak in Sudan in 2025, highlighting the health risks in conflict zones.
Contribution
The study provides new insights into the ocular symptoms caused by paederin exposure during a specific outbreak in a war-affected region.
Findings
80% of patients experienced periorbital dermatitis and pain after paederin eye contact.
Itching was reported in 85% of cases, with hyperpigmentation affecting 70% of patients.
Only 2% of women developed conjunctivitis, while 8% had vesicles.
Abstract
Background: The Sudanese armed conflict has severely harmed the health system, causing infectious disease outbreaks. Paederus ocular dermatitis, induced by the toxins (paederin) of Paederus beetles, exhibits a clinical presentation that closely resembles several other conditions. This study aims to assess the potential effects of paederin on the ocular region during the Paederus outbreak in the Sudan War of 2025. Methods: This is a hospital-based cross-sectional study. All patients with paederin contact with the eye who presented to the Ophthalmology Clinic of the first author in El-Obeid City, North Kordofan State, Sudan, between 5 July and 5 August 2025 were enrolled for the study. The patients selected had no previous eye disease (specifically infectious conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, and chronic dermatitis). Out of 250 patients who presented to the clinic with paederin eye…
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Taxonomy
TopicsBeetle Biology and Toxicology Studies · Phytochemical compounds biological activities · Synthesis and bioactivity of alkaloids
