The first mycetome was discovered more than 340 yr ago in the human louse. Despite the remarkable biology and medical and social importance of human lice, its primary endosymbiont has eluded identification and characterization. Here, we report the host-symbiont interaction of the mycetomic bacterium of the head louse Pediculus humanus capitis and the body louse P. h. humanus. The endosymbiont r...

Understanding the evolution of parasites is important to both basic and applied evolutionary biology. Knowledge of the genetic structure of parasite populations is critical for our ability to predict how an infection can spread through a host population and for the design of effective control methods. However, very little is known about the genetic structure of most human parasites, including t...

BACKGROUND Head lice infestation caused by Pediculus humanus var capitis (Pediculus capitis) is a worldwide public health concern that affects mostly school aged children. This descriptive, analytical study was carried out in 2008 to determine the prevalence of pediculosis capitis and some risk factors among primary-school pupils in Bahar, Hamadan Province, Iran. METHODS We selected 900 pupil...

Lemongrass leaves are a typical plant of South Kalimantan which contain anti-insecticide, namely secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, saponins, tannins, steroids and triterpenoids. Pediculosis is disease caused by tick infection still neglected becomes health problem. One way to get rid head lice use natural ingredients that anti-insecticide substances. This study aims examine the possibili...

Who gets lice? Using detailed health records of the citizens of Glasgow over the past couple of centuries, Steve Lindsay shows that lice have in the past been associated with deprivation. This conclusion may be controversial but, with the demise of the nit nurses and their detailed records, we are no longer in a position to say whether or not the same is true today.

BACKGROUND Infestation with the human head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis) occurs worldwide. Existing treatment options are limited, and reports of resistance to commonly used pediculicides have been increasing. In this trial we assessed the efficacy of a product containing a high (92%) concentration of the silicone oil dimeticone (identical in composition to NYDA(R)), as compared to a 1% per...

Some epidemiological characteristics of head lice, Pediculus capitis, were studied using two procedures: cut hair analysis and head inspection. Higher prevalence rates were observed in the middle and at the end of the school terms. Both procedures indicated that children were the main reservoir for this type of pediculosis in Uberlândia.