Genetic Diversity of Pediculus humanus capitis (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) in Peninsular Malaysia and Molecular Detection of Its Potential Associated Pathogens

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 915-926
Author(s):  
Aida Syafinaz Mokhtar ◽  
Yee Ling Lau ◽  
John-James Wilson ◽  
Noraishah Mydin Abdul-Aziz

Abstract Pediculosis capitis caused by Pediculus humanus capitis (De Geer) is endemic all over the world, and children are mostly affected, particularly those living in overcrowded institutions. Several studies have shown that P. h. capitis carried human pathogenic bacteria, suggesting the potential role of head lice in the transmission of pathogens to humans. In this study, we determined the genetic diversity of head lice collected from welfare homes sheltering underprivileged children by using DNA barcoding and demonstrated the presence of Acinetobacter spp., Serratia marcescens, and Staphylococcus aureus in head lice, which have never been investigated before in Malaysia. Cox1 DNA barcoding identified the head lice, P. h. capitis collected from welfare homes across two geographical areas of Peninsular Malaysia as belonging to clades A, B, and D. Acinetobacter bacteria: Acinetobacter guillouiae, Acinetobacter junii, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Acinetobacter nosocomialis were detected in head lice belonging to clades A and also D. In addition, DNA from S. marcescens and S. aureus were also detected in both clades A and D. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the genetic diversity of head lice in Malaysia through DNA barcoding, as well as the first to provide molecular evidence on the type of bacteria occurring in head lice in Malaysia. It is anticipated that the DNA barcoding technique used in this study will be able to provide rapid and accurate identification of arthropods, in particular, medically important ectoparasites.

Author(s):  
Yunita Armiyanti ◽  
Anzil Aziza ◽  
Ika Rahmawati Sutejo

Permethrin is still the main therapy for human head infestation Pediculosis capitis in several countries, including Indonesia. However, permethrin is not effective for the egg stage. Therefore, alternative therapy from herbs is needed for the treatment of head lice which is effective for both egg and adult stage. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of Illicium verum extract and coconut oil formula against eggs of head lice. An in vitro immersion test was applied with four treatment groups (Illicium verum extract and coconut oil formula with four different compositions) as well as a negative control group (distilled water) and a positive control group (permethrin 1%) against eggs of head lice. The eggs of head lice were immersed for 0.5, 1, or 2 min in 1 ml of each solution. Mortality rates of the eggs were recorded after 5 days of incubation. The formula of Illicium verum extract and palm oil with composition 60:40 had the best efficacy with a mortality rate of head lice eggs reached 86,67%, after immersion for 2 minutes. The combination of Illicium verum extract and coconut oil could be an alternative ovicide, but this formula requires precise composition which can be applied for Pediculus humanus capitis.


Author(s):  
SALEHA SUNGKAR ◽  
YASMINE A. DWINASTITI ◽  
ROSE A. HASWINZKY ◽  
FANNY P. IRMAWATI ◽  
AJI W. WARDHANA ◽  
...  

Objective: Pediculus humanus capitis is an ectoparasite that sucks blood from the patient’s scalp. Gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane is an effective treatment but its use has been discontinued because of its neurotoxicity. Although the replacement pediculicide is permethrin, this is not affordable for everyone, and thus the recommended treatment is wet combing. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of permethrin compared with wet combing for eliminating pediculosis. Methods: This study was a randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted in a boarding school in Bogor District; the data were collected in July–August, 2018. Subjects were regarded as infested if lice were found during examination. Infested subjects were divided into two groups. In the permethrin group, the hair was wetted with permethrin lotion and left for 10 min. Afterwards, a fine-toothed comb was used to remove lice, and then the subjects were instructed to wash their hair with shampoo. On day 14, each subject’s head was reexamined to determine the cure rate. The wet-combing group was treated similarly but using conditioner instead of permethrin. Results: Of 121 subjects, 88.4% were infested with head lice. The cure rate after one week of treatment was 66% in the permethrin group and 63% in the wet-combing group. After a two-week course of treatment, the cure rate increased to 94% in permethrin group and 89% in the wet-combing group. There was no significant difference in cure rate between permethrin and wet combing after a one-(P = 0.740) or two-week (P = 0.507) course of treatment. Conclusion: The prevalence of pediculosis capitis in a boarding school in Bogor District was 88.4%. Wet combing treatment was as effective as permethrin for treating pediculosis capitis.


2003 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehmet Tanyuksel ◽  
R. Engin Araz ◽  
Ali Albay ◽  
Hasan Aycicek

Pediculosis humanus capitis (head lice) is an important public health problem among school children. In our study, 20,612 schoolchildren (10,367 boys, 10,245 girls) were examined for Pediculus humanus capitis in 36 elementary schools between December 1996 and February 1998 in Ankara, Turkey. The prevalence of pediculosis capitis infestation was found to be 3.4% (701 / 20, 612). Of these, 382 students were treated with application of 1% permethrin cream rinse, and 184 students with 0.4% d-phenothrin shampoo. On day 14 of the controlled trial, the success rates were 93.7 % in the 1% permethrin cream rinse group and 75.5 % in the 0.4% d-phenothrin shampoo group. The 1% permethrin cream rinse was also significantly more active in pediculicidal efficacy when compared to the 0.4% d-phenothrin shampoo (p<0.001). As a result, these findings demonstrate that pediculosis capitis still remains a widespread health problem.


2017 ◽  
Vol 116 (10) ◽  
pp. 2637-2643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah A. Al-Shahrani ◽  
Reem A. Alajmi ◽  
Tahany H. Ayaad ◽  
Mohammed A. Al-Shahrani ◽  
El-Sayed H. Shaurub

2020 ◽  
pp. 132-139

In this study, only (122) out of (915) primary school students were shown to be infected with head lice Pediculus. humanus capitis. The number and percentage of infected males were 46 (11.3%), while the number and percentage of infected females were 76 (14.9%). The results in our study also showed that the number and percentage of goats infected with goat sucking lice, Linognathus stenopsis was 70 (21.7%) of the total 322 animals, with the highest number and percentage among female goats 44 (62.9%) compared to the male goats 26 (37.1%). The study demonstrated that the rate of genetic difference between the studied samples was 89% and the similarity rate was 11%. Detection of OP-K01 gene pieces by PCR products showed that the amplicon size was 520 bp for P. humanus capitis isolated from humans, while the detection of OP-E20 and OP-M05 gene pieces with PCR product showed the lowest amplicon size 230 bp for Linognathus stenosis isolated from goats.


Parasite ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerdalidec Candy ◽  
Sophie Brun ◽  
Patrick Nicolas ◽  
Rémy Durand ◽  
Remi N. Charrel ◽  
...  

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.


2013 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-181
Author(s):  
Mt Tahmina Karim ◽  
Sharmin Musa ◽  
Hamida Khanum

The prevalence of head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) infestation was studied among the children (1 to 7 years) in the area of Mirpur Bihari Camp, Mirpur-11, Dhaka. A total of 300 children was examined from February 2011 to January 2012 and 59.67% prevalence of head lice infestation was observed. The prevalence of pediculosis was significantly higher (p<0.05) in seven years aged children and the prevalence was significantly (p<0.05) higher in girls (72.62%) than boys (43.18%). School going children had higher (p<0.05) prevalence compared to preschool group. According to socioeconomic status, head lice infestation occurred almost equally in all social classes. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjz.v40i2.14310 Bangladesh J. Zool. 40(2): 175-181, 2012


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document