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Walker MD, Sulyok M. Internet searching on the head louse in the UK since the COVID-19 pandemic. Pediatr Dermatol 2023; 40:96-99. [PMID: 36056643 DOI: 10.1111/pde.15129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wide-ranging restrictions on social and educational activities were imposed in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These likely influenced the population dynamics of the head louse. Close physical contact between human hosts is required for transmission of this ectoparasite. METHOD Pre- and post-pandemic internet interest in the head louse in the UK was compared using Google Trends data from March 2017 to March 2022 and modeling using the Meta Prophet package. The influence of school holidays and school attendance was also investigated. RESULTS There was a sharp decline in internet searching of the term "head louse" from March 2020 onwards coinciding with COVID-19 restrictions, and a large difference between pre- and post-pandemic search volumes. No influence of school holidays or attendance on internet searching on the head louse was found. CONCLUSION The results suggest pandemic restrictions have had a large effect on head louse incidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark David Walker
- Department of the Natural and Built Environment, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
| | - Mihály Sulyok
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
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2
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Adjemian V, Galassi FG, Picollo MI, González-Audino P. The Attractivity of the Head Louse, Pediculus humanus capitis (Pediculidae: Anoplura) to Isolated Compounds and Blends of Human Skin. J Med Entomol 2022; 59:1171-1176. [PMID: 35482601 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjac041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Human head lice Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) are ectoparasites that cause pediculosis, a global scale disease mainly found in school-age children. Previous works from our laboratory found nonanal, sulcatone, and geranylacetone as the main human scalp volatile components, and individually evaluated their attraction to head lice using an olfactometer. In this work, we compared how their blends at different concentrations attract head lice, and how their blended effect compares to the effect of isolated compounds. At the concentrations evaluated, individual components did not show attraction towards head lice, but a ternary mixture of them was attractive. Moreover, a solvent extract from the human head scalp was analyzed by GC-MS, finding that tetradecanoic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, palmitoleic acid, and squalene are the most abundant components. Attraction to these individual compounds at natural concentrations was tested by bioassays in a circular experimental arena. No attraction was observed when the components were tested individually, but when they were evaluated as a blend they attracted head lice. This work presents new information about how chemical signals are attractive at certain concentrations and proportions. This information could be used to better understand communication mechanisms in head lice and for the development of louse repellents.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Adjemian
- Centro de Investigaciones de Plagas e Insecticidas (CONICET-UNIDEF), Juan Bautista de Lasalle, 4397 (B1603ALO), Villa Martelli, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - F G Galassi
- Centro de Investigaciones de Plagas e Insecticidas (CONICET-UNIDEF), Juan Bautista de Lasalle, 4397 (B1603ALO), Villa Martelli, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M I Picollo
- Centro de Investigaciones de Plagas e Insecticidas (CONICET-UNIDEF), Juan Bautista de Lasalle, 4397 (B1603ALO), Villa Martelli, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - P González-Audino
- Centro de Investigaciones de Plagas e Insecticidas (CONICET-UNIDEF), Juan Bautista de Lasalle, 4397 (B1603ALO), Villa Martelli, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Bartosik K, Janczaruk M, Zając Z, Sędzikowska A, Kulisz J, Woźniak A, Jasztal-Kniażuk A, Kulbaka E, Tytuła A. Head Lice Infestation in Schoolchildren, in Poland-Is There a Chance for Change? J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11030783. [PMID: 35160233 PMCID: PMC8837132 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11030783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediculosis capitis is a current and neglected health issue worldwide. The lack of screening programs contributes to the marginalization of the problem and delays therapeutic measures. Our study aimed to analyze the occurrence of this parasitosis in primary schools in Poland and to determine factors contributing to the persistence of its foci. The research tools were two questionnaires: one for primary school children and the other for school managers. While children answered questions about the epidemiology of pediculosis capitis and expressed their opinion on the hygienic condition of infested persons, the school directors were asked about the occurrence of head lice in schools, preventive measures, and institutions supporting schools in combating the infestation. The survey covered the period 2014–2018. Pediculosis capitis was reported in 87.5% of the schools. The greatest number of cases was reported in the group of 6–9 year-olds (68%). Among 4970 children, 16.7% had no knowledge of head lice; however, 57.1% wanted to increase their awareness of the problem. Campaigns on lice were conducted mainly as a result of emerging pediculosis capitis cases, and most schools could not rely on institutional support. Screening programs and preventive educational campaigns should be part of pediculosis capitis control in Poland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Bartosik
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin, Poland; (Z.Z.); (J.K.); (A.W.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Marzena Janczaruk
- II Chair and Department of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery and Surgical Oncology of the Alimentary Tract, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Zbigniew Zając
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin, Poland; (Z.Z.); (J.K.); (A.W.)
| | - Aleksandra Sędzikowska
- Department of General Biology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-004 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Joanna Kulisz
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin, Poland; (Z.Z.); (J.K.); (A.W.)
| | - Aneta Woźniak
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin, Poland; (Z.Z.); (J.K.); (A.W.)
| | - Anita Jasztal-Kniażuk
- Regional Chamber of Nurses and Midwives in Lublin, 20-072 Lublin, Poland; (A.J.-K.); (A.T.)
| | - Ewa Kulbaka
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Andrzej Tytuła
- Regional Chamber of Nurses and Midwives in Lublin, 20-072 Lublin, Poland; (A.J.-K.); (A.T.)
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Ortega-Insaurralde I, Picollo MI, Barrozo RB. Sensory features of the human louse antenna: new contributions and comparisons between ecotypes. Med Vet Entomol 2021; 35:219-224. [PMID: 33038036 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Body and head lice are known to be exclusive ectoparasites of human hosts. Current genomic and transcriptomic data suggest that both louse types represent ecotypes of the same species. They exhibit morphological and physiological differences that probably arose from living in different biotopes. Sensory traits represent suitable candidates to be affected by environmental heterogeneity. Therefore, through scanning electron microscope studies, this study analysed and compared the sensory structures of both ecotypes' antennae. Seven types of sensory structures were identified in both ecotypes: bristles, tuft organs, pore organs, single pore and three morphotypes of sensilla basiconica. Notably, the single pore and the morphotypes of sensilla basiconica were described for the first time in the body louse antenna. This study's comparative analysis mainly revealed size differences across the sensory structures of the ecotypes. Bristles of the flagellomere 2 of the body louse antenna were longer than the head louse bristles. In addition, the pore organs of the head louse antenna presented a higher diameter than those of the body louse. The possible relevance of size differences regarding the biotopes exploited by the body louse and the head louse is discussed. Yet, physiological studies may help to fully understand the phenotypical differences of both ecotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Ortega-Insaurralde
- Grupo de Neuroetología de Insectos Vectores, Laboratorio Fisiología de Insectos, Instituto Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada (IBBEA, UBA-CONICET), Departamento Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental (DBBE), Facultad Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Buenos Aires, C1428EHA, Argentina
| | - M I Picollo
- Centro de investigaciones de plagas e insecticidas, Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo para la Defensa, UNIDEF-CONICET, San Juan Bautista de La Salle 4397, Villa Martelli, Buenos Aires, B1603ALO, Argentina
| | - R B Barrozo
- Grupo de Neuroetología de Insectos Vectores, Laboratorio Fisiología de Insectos, Instituto Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada (IBBEA, UBA-CONICET), Departamento Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental (DBBE), Facultad Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Buenos Aires, C1428EHA, Argentina
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Ortega Insaurralde I, Minoli S, Toloza AC, Picollo MI, Barrozo RB. The Sensory Machinery of the Head Louse Pediculus humanus capitis: From the Antennae to the Brain. Front Physiol 2019; 10:434. [PMID: 31057423 PMCID: PMC6482248 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Insect antennae are sophisticated sensory organs, usually covered with sensory structures responsible for the detection of relevant signals of different modalities coming from the environment. Despite the relevance of the head louse Pediculus humanus capitis as a human parasite, the role of its antennal sensory system in the highly dependent relation established with their hosts has been barely studied. In this work, we present a functional description of the antennae of these hematophagous insects by applying different approaches, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), anterograde antennal fluorescent backfills, and behavioral experiments with intact or differentially antennectomized lice. Results constitute a first approach to identify and describe the head louse antennal sensilla and to determine the role of the antenna in host recognition. SEM images allowed us to identify a total of 35-40 sensilla belonging to seven different morphological types that according to their external architecture are candidates to bear mechano-, thermo-, hygro-, or chemo-receptor functions. The anterograde backfills revealed a direct neural pathway to the ipsilateral antennal lobe, which includes 8-10 glomerular-like diffuse structures. In the two-choice behavioral experiments, intact lice chose scalp chemicals and warm surfaces (i.e., 32°C) and avoided wet substrates. Behavioral preferences disappeared after ablation of the different flagellomeres of their antenna, allowing us to discuss about the location and function of the different identified sensilla. This is the first study that integrates morphological and behavioral aspects of the sensory machinery of head lice involved in host perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Ortega Insaurralde
- Centro de Investigaciones de Plagas e Insecticidas (CIPEIN), CONICET- CITEDEF, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sebastián Minoli
- Laboratorio Fisiología de Insectos, Departamento Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental (DBBE), Facultad Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Instituto Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada (IBBEA, CONICET-UBA), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ariel Ceferino Toloza
- Centro de Investigaciones de Plagas e Insecticidas (CIPEIN), CONICET- CITEDEF, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Inés Picollo
- Centro de Investigaciones de Plagas e Insecticidas (CIPEIN), CONICET- CITEDEF, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Romina B Barrozo
- Laboratorio Fisiología de Insectos, Departamento Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental (DBBE), Facultad Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Instituto Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada (IBBEA, CONICET-UBA), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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6
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Firooziyan S, Sadaghianifar A, Taghilou B, Galavani H, Ghaffari E, Gholizadeh S. Identification of Novel Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Mutations in Human Head and Body Lice (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae). J Med Entomol 2017; 54:1337-1343. [PMID: 28549171 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjx107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, the increase of head louse infestation in Iran (7.4%) and especially in West-Azerbaijan Province (248%) has raised the hypothesis of insecticide resistance development. There are different mechanisms of resistance to various groups of insecticides, and knockdown resistance (kdr) is a prominent mechanism of resistance to pyrethroids, an insecticide group which is used conventionally for pediculosis control. For detection of kdr-type well-known amino acid substitutions (M815I-T917I-L920F) and additional sodium channel mutations potentially associated with kdr resistance in head and body lice, louse populations were collected from West-Azerbaijan and Zanjan Provinces of Iran. Six novel mutations were found to be located in the IIS1-2 extracellular loop (H813P) and IIS5 (I927F, L928A, R929V, L930M, and L932M) of the α-subunit. Genotyping results showed that all specimens (100%) have at least one of these or the well-known mutations. Therefore, the presence of kdr-related and novel mutations in the sodium channel is likely to be the reason for the frequent use of pyrethroid insecticides due to treatment failure against lice. Further studies are now required to evaluate the prevalence of the kdr-like mutant allele for monitoring of insecticide resistance and the management of head and body lice in other provinces of the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Firooziyan
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia 5756115111, Iran
- Medical Entomology Department, School of Public Health, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia 5756115198, Iran
| | - Ali Sadaghianifar
- Urmia Health Center, Disease Control Unit, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia 5713759185, Iran
| | - Behrooz Taghilou
- Deputy of Research and Technology, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan 4515613191, Iran
| | - Hossein Galavani
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia 5756115111, Iran
| | - Eslam Ghaffari
- Urmia Health Center, Environmental Health Unit, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia 5713759185, Iran
| | - Saber Gholizadeh
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia 5756115111, Iran
- Medical Entomology Department, School of Public Health, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia 5756115198, Iran
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7
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Kim JH, Previte DJ, Yoon KS, Murenzi E, Koehler JE, Pittendrigh BR, Lee SH, Clark JM. Comparison of the proliferation and excretion of Bartonella quintana between body and head lice following oral challenge. Insect Mol Biol 2017; 26:266-276. [PMID: 28105732 PMCID: PMC5400725 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Human body and head lice are highly related haematophagous ectoparasites but only the body louse has been shown to transmit Bartonella quintana, the causative agent of trench fever. The mechanisms by which body lice became a vector for B. quintana, however, are poorly understood. Following oral challenge, green fluorescent protein-expressing B. quintana proliferated over 9 days postchallenge with the number of bacteria being significantly higher in whole body vs. head lice. The numbers of B. quintana detected in faeces from infected lice, however, were approximately the same in both lice. Nevertheless, the viability of B. quintana was significantly higher in body louse faeces. Comparison of immune responses in alimentary tract tissues revealed that basal transcription levels of peptidoglycan recognition protein and defensins were lower in body lice and the transcription of defensin 1 was up-regulated by oral challenge with wild-type B. quintana in head but not in body lice. In addition, the level of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species generated by epithelial cells was significantly lower in body lice. Although speculative at this time, the reduced immune response is consistent with the higher vector competence seen in body vs. head lice in terms of B. quintana infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- J H Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - D J Previte
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - K S Yoon
- Department of Biological Sciences and Environmental Sciences Program, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, Edwardsville, IL, USA
| | - E Murenzi
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - J E Koehler
- Microbial Pathogenesis and Host Defense Program, and Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - B R Pittendrigh
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - S H Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
- Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - J M Clark
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
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Kim DH, Son HM, Lee SH, Park MK, Kang SA, Park SK, Choi JH, Park JH, Yu HS. Negligible Egg Positive Rate of Enterobius vermicularis and No Detection of Head Lice among Orphanage Children in Busan and Ulsan, Korea (2014). Korean J Parasitol 2015; 53:497-9. [PMID: 26323851 PMCID: PMC4566510 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2015.53.4.497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Revised: 06/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
To determine whether pinworm infections and head lice infestations spread among children in orphanages, 117 children from 4 orphanages in Busan-si and Ulsan-si, Korea, were examined for enterobiasis and head lice infestation between January and February 2014. The overall rate of Enterobius vermicularis egg positivity was 0.85%, whereas none of the children had head lice infestations. The rate of pinworm infection was much lower among the orphanage children compared to the rates observed in previous studies among kindergarten and primary school students. Moreover, the risk factors for enterobiasis were less frequent among these subjects than previously reported. The personal hygiene and health of the orphanage children were supervised by a regular, employed nurse through a health education program. In conclusion, pinworm infection was efficiently controlled among the children in orphanages, and this might be related to good personal hygiene practices in Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Hee Kim
- Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, Pusan National University, Yangsan 626-870, Korea
| | - Hyun-Mi Son
- Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, Pusan National University, Yangsan 626-870, Korea
| | - Sang Hwa Lee
- Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, Pusan National University, Yangsan 626-870, Korea
| | - Mi Kyung Park
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 626-870, Korea.,Immunoregulatory Therapeutics Group in Brain Busan 21 Project, Yangsan 626-870, Korea
| | - Shin Ae Kang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 626-870, Korea.,Immunoregulatory Therapeutics Group in Brain Busan 21 Project, Yangsan 626-870, Korea
| | - Sang Kyun Park
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 626-870, Korea.,Immunoregulatory Therapeutics Group in Brain Busan 21 Project, Yangsan 626-870, Korea
| | - Jun-Ho Choi
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 626-870, Korea.,Immunoregulatory Therapeutics Group in Brain Busan 21 Project, Yangsan 626-870, Korea
| | - Jung Ha Park
- Department of Nursing, Dongseo University, Busan 617-716, Korea
| | - Hak-Sun Yu
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 626-870, Korea.,Immunoregulatory Therapeutics Group in Brain Busan 21 Project, Yangsan 626-870, Korea
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Vallejo JR, González JA. The use of the head louse as a remedy for jaundice in Spanish folk medicine: an overview. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2013; 9:52. [PMID: 23876126 PMCID: PMC3770454 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-9-52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2013] [Accepted: 07/20/2013] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Spain, head lice are considered a therapeutic resource for the treatment of jaundice. All folk remedies based on the ingestion of these insects meet in the present document, previously dispersed among a large number of references. METHODS An overview of the Spanish literature has been carried out. The most important databases have been consulted. All related works have been examined. RESULTS Although the method of preparation is diverse and the dose varies, the primary recommendation is a transference ritual consisting of taking nine live lice for nine days on an empty stomach without the patient's knowledge. This traditional knowledge survives in Spanish society, and constitutes an example of the interrelation between Spanish and Latin American folk medicines. CONCLUSIONS The survival of this therapy in the worldview of certain rural communities suggests the need to take into account the beliefs, ideas and behaviour patterns of popular culture in relation to health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Ramón Vallejo
- Departamento de Terapéutica Médico-Quirúrgica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Extremadura, E-06006, Badajoz, Spain
| | - José Antonio González
- Grupo de Investigación de Recursos Etnobiológicos del Duero-Douro (GRIRED), Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Salamanca, E-37071, Salamanca, Spain
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Sim S, Lee WJ, Yu JR, Lee IY, Lee SH, Oh SY, Seo M, Chai JY. Risk factors associated with head louse infestation in Korea. Korean J Parasitol 2011; 49:95-8. [PMID: 21461277 PMCID: PMC3063935 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2011.49.1.95] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2011] [Revised: 02/08/2011] [Accepted: 02/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Head louse infestation (HLI) is one of the most frequently occurring parasitic diseases in children. This study was conducted to investigate the socioeconomic and personal factors influencing HLI in the Republic of Korea. A total of 2,210 questionnaires about various factors related to HLI were obtained from children in 17 primary schools throughout the country. The rate of HLI was significantly lower in children who lived together with mother or in a family where both parents worked. In addition, HLI was lower in children whose fathers or mothers were public officers or teachers. However, HLI was higher in children who had small families and washed their hair less often. Education levels of parents and the number of children in family were not significant. Improvement of socioeconomic factors and personal hygiene will be helpful for reducing HLI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seobo Sim
- Department of Environmental and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Chungju 380-701, Korea
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Anbu Jeba Sunilson JS, Suraj R, Rejitha G, Anandarajagopal K, Vimala AGKA, Husain HA. In vitro screening of anti-lice activity of Pongamia pinnata leaves. Korean J Parasitol 2009; 47:377-80. [PMID: 19967085 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2009.47.4.377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2009] [Revised: 08/20/2009] [Accepted: 08/31/2009] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Growing patterns of pediculocidal drug resistance towards head louse laid the foundation for research in exploring novel anti-lice agents from medicinal plants. In the present study, various extracts of Pongamia pinnata leaves were tested against the head louse Pediculus humanus capitis. A filter paper diffusion method was conducted for determining the potential pediculocidal and ovicidal activity of chloroform, petroleum ether, methanol, and water extracts of P. pinnata leaves. The findings revealed that petroleum ether extracts possess excellent anti-lice activity with values ranging between 50.3% and 100% where as chloroform and methanol extracts showed moderate pediculocidal effects. The chloroform and methanol extracts were also successful in inhibiting nymph emergence and the petroleum ether extract was the most effective with a complete inhibition of emergence. Water extract was devoid of both pediculocidal and ovicidal activities. All the results were well comparable with benzoyl benzoate (25% w/v). These results showed the prospect of using P. pinnata leave extracts against P. humanus capitis in difficult situations of emergence of resistance to synthetic anti-lice agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Samuel Anbu Jeba Sunilson
- School of Pharmacy, Masterskill University College of Health Sciences, Taman Kemacahaya 11, Jalan Kemacahaya, Cheras, Selangor, Malaysia
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12
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Mathias RG, Wallace JF. Man's Closest Companions. Can Fam Physician 1987; 33:124-126. [PMID: 21267344 PMCID: PMC2218300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
THE AUTHORS DESCRIBE FOUR COMMON PARASITES THAT INFEST HUMANS: the head louse, the pubic louse, and the body louse, as well as the human mite. They review the life cycle of these insects, advise on diagnosis of an infestation, and recommend various types of treatment for their human hosts that will put an end to these unwelcome pests.
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