HUMAN LICE AND THEIR CONTROL

Abstract

Current research on human louse biology has focused on the long-standing debate about speciation of head and body lice but using new tools of DNA and enzyme analysis. These studies have indicated that head and body lice from the same geographical zone may be more closely allied than insects inhabiting the same ecological niche in other regions. However, the majority of research over the past decade has involved clinical aspects including transmission, treatment, and the appearance and identification of resistant strains within populations of lice. Despite advances, there is a need for a better understanding of louse biology, as existing therapies fail and lice remain potential vectors of disease for millions of people.

Prevalence of Head Pediculosis Among Refugees In Sulaimani Governorate/ Kurdistan- Iraq

“…About 80% of the known animals species in the world belongs to insects [1]. The human head lice, Pediculus humanus capitis are blood-sucking, wingless and obligate ectoparasites, belonging to the order: Phthiraptera, which are specific parasites of a human being [2], their life cycle consists of three stages, egg, nymph, and adult. The lifespan of adult louse is up to 30 days on a person's head, it can lay up to 10 eggs per day, the adult louse takes a blood meal several times daily and sometimes it can survive for 36 hours without a blood meal,they are not evidenced to be the vector of any disease but they cause annoyance, irritation, and sleepiness [3].The infestation is a regular community health concern which affects millions of children around the world, it may be completely asymptomatic, or cause intense scalp itchiness, dermatitis, secondary bacterial infection, allergic reaction, pruritus, excoriation, lymphadenopathy, and conjunctivitis have been frequently seen more among infested children.…”

Comparative in vitro tests on the efficacy and safety of 13 anti-head-lice products

“…Although, in general, head lice do not transmit agents of disease as it is known from body lice (Pediculus humanus corporis), they may have considerable impact on health of humans. Their bites, especially in cases of huge infestations, may lead to enormous pruritus, skin inflammation, urticaria, exudations, lymph node swellings, eczema, scars, hair glue-up to "plica polonica", ending in pain and restlessness especially in children (Burgess 2004(Burgess , 2009Mumcuoglu and Rufli 1983;Mumucuoglu et al 2009;Mehlhorn et al 1995;Mehlhorn 2008;Mehlhorn and Mehlhorn 2009). All these symptoms are described as a disease called "pediculosis" which also includes psychological damages of infested children and their caring mothers.…”

Eucalyptus essential oil toxicity against permethrin-resistant Pediculus humanus capitis (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae)

“…The infestation of the human hair and scalp is an ancient medical problem whose main symptoms are itching and social embarrassment (Burgess 2004). Recently, experimental evidence mentioned that head lice can be able to act as vectors of Rickettsia prowazekii and Bartonella quintana, the causative agents of typhus and trench fever, respectively (Robinson et al 2003;Sasaki et al 2006).…”

“…The infestation with head lice is widespread throughout the world (Falagas et al 2008) and has been increasing since the beginning of the 1990s due to the lack of effectiveness of pediculicides (Burgess 2009). This lack of efficacy is mainly due to a variety of reason such as the sale of ineffective products, the incorrect use of pediculicides and that lice develop resistance to insecticides such as DDT, lindane, malathion, carbaryl, permethrin, and δ-phenotrin in several countries (Hunter and Barker 2003;Burgess 2004;Mumcuoglu et al 2009). In Argentina, pediculosis is a serious sanitary problem affecting more than 30% of the school children (Toloza et al 2009).…”