Nit picking

Scanning Electron Microscopic Study on the Head Lice Eggs Detected in Korean Children

“…The cementum surrounding the hair shaft firmly, and the com-patterned structure connecting the nit body to the cementum makes the eggs not easily detached from the hair shaft. Also a nit is made of chitin protein, an insoluble polymer, and tyrosine and phenylalanine residues, which make the nit sheath harden (Burkhart & Burkhart, 2005;Elston, 2005). The nit body in this experiment is connected from the 2/3 of cementum and shaped like a goblet toward the apical direction of the hair shaft unlike the ovoid shape reported by Ibarra & Hall (1996).…”

“…opposite to the scalp (Burkhart & Burkhart, 2005). Many studies have been reported about the disinfestation of head lice, as well as infection status surveys and the composition of the nit sheath (Hunter & Barker, 2003;Elston, 2005;Clark, 2009;Lee et al, 2009;Oh et al, 2010;Gallardo et al, 2012). However, studies on the morphological characteristics of eggs have been insufficient.…”

The nit sheath: A rare histopathologic clue for the diagnosis of louse infestation

“…Chemical analysis of the louse nit sheath has previously revealed that it is proteinaceous rather than chitinous in composition 9 . This may allow for directed therapies for lice infestation through the disruption or inhibition of adhesive solidification 10 . Therapies that target the nit sheath could serve an important clinical role by eliminating empty nits after successful eradication of live organisms; this becomes particularly important with regard to “no nit” policies that are supported by the National Pediculosis Association as well as schools throughout the United States.…”

“…9 This may allow for directed therapies for lice infestation through the disruption or inhibition of adhesive solidification. 10 Therapies that target the nit sheath could serve an important clinical role by eliminating empty nits after successful eradication of live organisms; this becomes particularly important with regard to "no nit" policies that are supported by the National Pediculosis Association as well as schools throughout the United States. Such policies prevent children from returning to the classroom until all identifiable nits have been removed, regardless of whether they represent active infection.…”

Deep penetrating nevus with clear‐cell changes

“…9 This may allow for directed therapies for lice infestation through the disruption or inhibition of adhesive solidification. 10 Therapies that target the nit sheath could serve an important clinical role by eliminating empty nits after successful eradication of live organisms; this becomes particularly important with regard to "no nit" policies that are supported by the National Pediculosis Association as well as schools throughout the United States. Such policies prevent children from returning to the classroom until all identifiable nits have been removed, regardless of whether they represent active infection.…”