Clinical observations related to head lice infestation

Mumcuoglu, Kosta Y.; Klaus, Sidney N.; Kafka, Dorothy; Teiler, Mike; Miller, Jacqueline

doi:10.1016/0190-9622(91)70190-d

Cited by 85 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Despite evidence that infestation is not correlated with socioeconomic status, pediculosis is a socially undesirable parasitic condition accompanied by social stigma, sleeplessness, pruritus, and lost days in school (Mumcuoglu et al 1991, Meinking 1999. Head lice are considered a severe nuisance, but few researchers have studied head louse biology since the Þrst part of the last century (Bacot 1917, Nuttall 1917, Buxton 1936.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

In Vivo and In Vitro Rearing ofPediculus humanus capitis(Anoplura: Pediculidae)

Takano-Lee¹,

Yoon²,

Edman³

et al. 2003

J Med Entomol

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Four geographically distinct colonies of the human head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer (Anoplura: Pediculidae) were reared on a live host and exhibited significantly different life history patterns. Florida head lice exhibited approximately 10% slower development and approximately 15% reduced longevity relative to California or Ecuador head lice. Fecundity (4.9 +/- 0.2 eggs/female/d) and fertility (76.4 +/- 2.9% mean hatching rate) declined over the lifetime of female lice, especially when separated from males (i.e., unmated recently). All four colonies (above plus one from Panama) were similar in their ability to tolerate starvation, although older stages tended to die sooner. An in vitro feeding apparatus was developed to rear head lice. Teneral first instar lice were placed on human hair tufts on the upper side of membrane-covered feeders, which were immersed bottom-side down within a vessel containing warmed human blood. Relative to lice reared on a human host, in vitro-reared lice required a significantly longer time (10-20%) to molt and survived a significantly shorter time as adults (30-50%); the addition of antibiotics did not adversely affect louse development. Teneral first instars were more likely than any other stage to feed through the membrane. Lice spent a significantly greater proportion of time searching in the in vitro apparatus than on a host, but the proportion of time spent feeding did not differ. This research is the first to demonstrate that head lice can be reared successfully in vitro through a complete life cycle.

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

In Vivo and In Vitro Rearing ofPediculus humanus capitis(Anoplura: Pediculidae)

Takano-Lee¹,

Yoon²,

Edman³

et al. 2003

J Med Entomol

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“…Some patients with long-standing infestation report sleep disturbance resulting from intense pruritus. It appears that head louse-induced pruritus is caused by a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction, as it tends to occur within 2–6 weeks during the first infestation, but develops considerably sooner during subsequent episodes—generally within 1–2 days 23 24…”

Section: Symptoms and Signsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Secondary bacterial infections, occasionally in conjunction with regional lymphadenopathy, can therefore complicate the course of the infestation. Infection with Staphylococcus aureus , which is the most commonly implicated pathogen in this setting, can lead to impetigo, cellulitis, pyoderma and, less frequently, abscess formation 23 25…”

Section: Symptoms and Signsmentioning

confidence: 99%

What's bugging you? An update on the treatment of head lice infestation

Tebruegge

Pantazidou

Curtis

2010

Archives of Disease in Childhood - Education and Practice

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Head lice infestation (pediculosis capitis) is a common problem in paediatric practice. It can cause considerable distress to children and their families and may lead to bullying and social stigmatisation. Therapy with "conventional" topical pediculicides with neurotoxic mode of action-such as malathion, permethrin, phenothrin and carbaryl-is increasingly associated with treatment failure as a result of the emergence of resistance within the parasite population. This review provides an overview of the natural history, clinical symptoms and diagnosis of head lice infestation. It also discusses general management principles and summarises the current data on novel treatment strategies, including wet combing, dimeticone, isopropyl myristate, benzyl alcohol, plant-based compounds and oral medication.

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“…A common reason for visiting a pharmacist is to obtain head lice treatment 8 . Most infested children remain symptom-free and are not bothered by itching 9 . The old method of dry-hair scalp inspection can miss up to 10% of infestations; on the other hand, false criteria for the diagnosis of louse infestation (presence of empty egg cases) in no-nits policies will lead to overdiagnosis and consequent mismanagement 11,12 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wet Combing for Head Lice: Feasibility in Mass Screening, Treatment Preference and Outcome

Stichele

Gyssels²,

Bracke³

et al. 2002

J R Soc Med

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SUMMARYThere is no scientific consensus on the best way to control head louse infestation in schoolchildren. A study was conducted to test the feasibility and acceptability of a screening campaign by wet combing and a community approach to head-louse control with home visits, and to explore parents' treatment preferences and treatment outcomes. A non-controlled intervention (advice on treatment options offered to all positive children) was nested within an epidemiological prevalence study. All children in three primary schools in Ghent, Belgium, were invited to take part in screening by wet combing (n=677, 3-11 years). Positive children were offered structural treatment advice, a home visit on day 7, and a check by wet combing on day 14.83% of the children were screened. The prevalence of active infestation (living moving lice) was 13.0% in school 1 and 19.5% in school 3. In school 2, prevalence of signs of active and past infestation was 40.7%. A home visit was made to 58% of the positive children. 85% of the positive children were screened again on day 14. Wet combing was the most widely used treatment, followed by chemical treatment and a combination of the two. In school 1 and 3 51% were cured, and in school 2 24% became nit-free. A wet combing screening campaign and a communityoriented approach to head-louse control is feasible though resource-intensive. The prevalence of head lice was high and the cure rate was low, with either topical treatments or wet combing.

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Clinical observations related to head lice infestation

Cited by 85 publications

References 6 publications

In Vivo and In Vitro Rearing ofPediculus humanus capitis(Anoplura: Pediculidae)

In Vivo and In Vitro Rearing ofPediculus humanus capitis(Anoplura: Pediculidae)

What's bugging you? An update on the treatment of head lice infestation

Wet Combing for Head Lice: Feasibility in Mass Screening, Treatment Preference and Outcome

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