[Bedbugs (Heteroptera, Cimicidae): biting again].

Bedbugs have been man's faithful companions from his cave days to the present time. After World War II, improvements in household and personal cleanliness and above all widespread use of insecticidal treatment led to a decline in the prevalence of bedbugs so that they became almost unknown to populations in industrialized countries. However in recent years a resurgence of bedbugs has been reported in North America as well as in most European countries. The purpose of this study is to provide an update on the comeback of bedbugs in France and the world, to discuss their impact on public health, and to consider possible causes for the current resurgence.