We read with interest but question the recent article by Sasaki et al. (2006) that reported the molecular detectionbynestedpolymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the agent of trench fever, Bartonella quintana, in humanbody louse,Pediculus humanus humanusL., the known vector, as well as in human head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer, all collected on Nepalese children. Head lice are widely d...

OBJECTIVE To compare the effectiveness of the Bug Buster kit with a single treatment of over the counter pediculicides for eliminating head lice. DESIGN Single blind, multicentre, randomised, comparative clinical study. SETTING Four counties in England and one county in Scotland. PARTICIPANTS 133 young people aged 2-15 years with head louse infestation: 56 were allocated to the Bug Buster...

Human head lice and body lice are morphologically and biologically similar but have distinct ecologies. They were shown to have almost the same basic genetic content (one gene is absent in head lice), but differentially express certain genes, presumably responsible for the vector competence. They are now believed to be ecotypes of the same species (Pediculus humanus) and based on mitochondrial ...

The article on use of dimeticone for treatment of epidermal parasitic skin diseases is potentially confusing and misleading because, in a practical sense, only head louse infestation can be treated with this material. Scabies mites are unaffected by silicones and use of dimeticone against other ectoparasites may have unwanted side effects such as anaphylactiform reactions or increased risk of p...

Transmission of the crab louse Phthirus pubis generally occurs by close body contact. Diagnosis is usually clinical and screening for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is indicated. While most evidence is extrapolated from studies of head lice treatments, topical pediculicides are recommended and treatment of sexual contacts is indicated.

The human head louse is a cosmopolitan ectoparasite and frequently infests many people, particularly school-age children. Due to widespread pyrethroid resistance and the lack of efficient resistance management, there has been a considerable interest in the protection of uninfested people and prevention of reinfestation by disrupting lice transfer. In this study, two nonclinical model systems (i...

Since the pioneering work of Charles Nicolle in 1909 [see Gross (1996) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 93:10539–10540] most medical officers and scientists have assumed that body lice are the sole vectors of Rickettsia prowazekii, the aetiological agent of louseborne epidemic typhus (LBET). Here we review the evidence for the axiom that head lice are not involved in epidemics of LBET. Laboratory experim...

Background. Many families find regular checking of children's heads for head louse infestation too onerous and would prefer to be able to prevent infestation by use of a topical application that deters lice from infesting the head. Identification in the laboratory of a repellent activity for piperonal provided the basis for developing a spray product to repel lice. Methods. A proof of principle...

head louse infestation is common in various parts of the world. baluchestan area in southeast of iran is one of the most infected areas. we studied the head louse infestation among the girls in primary schools of iranshahr, which is the largest city of the province during november 2002 to may 2003. totally 918 pupils, between 6-14 years old from 12 urban primary schools were randomly selected b...