Do drowning and anoxia kill head lice?
نویسندگان
چکیده
Chemical, physical, and mechanical methods are used to control human lice. Attempts have been made to eradicate head lice Pediculus humanus capitis by hot air, soaking in various fluids or asphyxiation using occlusive treatments. In this study, we assessed the maximum time that head lice can survive anoxia (oxygen deprivation) and their ability to survive prolonged water immersion. We also observed the ingress of fluids across louse tracheae and spiracle characteristics contrasting with those described in the literature. We showed that 100% of lice can withstand 8 h of anoxia and 12.2% survived 14 h of anoxia; survival was 48.9% in the untreated control group at 14 h. However, all lice had died following 16 h of anoxia. In contrast, the survival rate of water-immersed lice was significantly higher when compared with non-immersed lice after 6 h (100% vs. 76.6%, p = 0.0037), and 24 h (50.9% vs. 15.9%, p = 0.0003). Although water-immersed lice did not close their spiracles, water did not penetrate into the respiratory system. In contrast, immersion in colored dimeticone/cyclomethicone or colored ethanol resulted in penetration through the spiracles and spreading to the entire respiratory system within 30 min, leading to death in 100% of the lice.
منابع مشابه
An effective nonchemical treatment for head lice: a lot of hot air.
OBJECTIVES Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) are a major irritant to children and their parents around the world. Each year millions of children are infested with head lice, a condition known as pediculosis, which is responsible for tens of millions of lost school days. Head lice have evolved resistance to many of the currently used pediculicides; therefore, an effective new treatment for h...
متن کاملEfficacy of the LouseBuster, a new medical device for treating head lice (Anoplura:Pediculidae).
Human head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer) occur worldwide and infest millions of children and adults every year. Head lice infestations, which are known as pediculosis capitis, are psychologically stressful, physically irritating, and are one of the leading causes of K-6 school absence. The prevalence of head lice in many countries is increasing rapidly because of resistance to chemic...
متن کاملAnti-lice activity of Abrus Precatorius LINN (FAM -Fabacae) seeds oil
Results: The findings revealed that petroleum ether extracts possess excellent anti-lice activity .In 15 % concentration seed oil is able to kill 100% lice and 10 and 15 % concentration of seed oil makes nits unable to survive, results were well comparable with standard i.e benzoyl benzoate (25% w/v) as its 10% and 20% concentrations are able to kill 100% lice and deactivated nits. These result...
متن کاملEco-epidemiological factors' of Head Lice in 10-12 year-old girls in Birjand City in 2017
Introduction: Lice are external parasites found in all socioeconomic classes around the world, which infect millions of people, especially children aged 5-14 years. Considering the growing and epidemiological trend of head lice in recent years, despite careful health care, more prognosis is needed. Therefore, this study aimed to study eco-epidemiological factors of head lice in 10-12 year-old ...
متن کامل