Search results for "Lice Infestations"
showing 9 items of 9 documents
Scalp microbiota alterations in children with pediculosis.
2019
Pediculosis is a disease caused by the insect Pediculus humanus capitis that mainly occurs in childhood. A comparative study was carried out evaluating groups of schoolchildren with (group A) and without pediculosis (group B) to analyse the characteristics of the scalp microbiota. Samples were collected by swab using Stuart transport medium and incubate in Sabouraud dextrose agar with tetracycline to analyse the fungal microbiota and in blood agar to assess the bacterial microbiota. The isolates identity was confirmed by sequencing of the 16S and 18S regions of the ribosomal DNA gene for bacteria and fungi, respectively. The analysis of the 186 isolates led to the identification of 35 bacte…
A survey on knowledge and perceptions regarding head lice on a sample of teachers and students in primary schools of north and south of Italy.
2009
High rates of pediculosis are found in every part of the world. The age-range most affected is between 3 and 12 years. No-nit policies are ineffective in preventing infestations. On the other hand, misdiagnosis and overuse of pediculicides, increase resistance to treatment. Lack of information leads people to consider this kind of infestation to be associated to low social classes and immigrants. This research has been implemented to find out about the information level on pediculosis on a sample of students (722) and teachers (408) of some primary schools in northern and southern Italy, and to highlight the role of personal aspects such as age, gender, cultural level, geographical position…
Behavioural adaptations of argulid parasites (Crustacea: Branchiura) to major challenges in their life cycle.
2015
Fish lice (Argulus spp.) are obligate ectoparasites, which contrary to most aquatic parasites, retain the ability to swim freely throughout the whole of their life. In fish farms, they can quickly increase in numbers and without effective control cause argulosis, which results in the reduced growth and survival of their fish hosts. The morphology of Argulus spp, including their sensory organs, is suitable for both parasitism and free-swimming. By spending a considerable amount of time away from their host, these parasites risk being excessively dispersed, which could endanger mating success. Here we present a review of recent studies on the behaviour of Argulus spp, especially the aggregati…
Vaccuuming method as a successful strategy in the diagnosis of active infestation by Pediculus humanus capitis
2020
ABSTRACT Most human epidemiological and clinical studies use visual inspection of the hair and scalp to diagnose Pediculus humanus capitis , however this method has low sensitivity to diagnose active infestations (presence of nymphs and adult lice). Vacuuming the hair and scalp has been used as a diagnostic method, but there are no previous data comparing its effectiveness with visual inspection. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of overall infestation (nits and trophic stages), of active infestation by Pediculus humanus capitis , and to evaluate the effectiveness of vacuuming in comparison with the visual inspection. Visual inspection was performed by three examiners an…
Population dynamics of Antarctophthirus microchir (Anoplura: Echinophthiriidae) in pups from South American sea lion, Otaria flavescens, in Northern …
2009
We analysed population dynamics of the louse Antarctophthirus microchir in pups of the South American sea lion, Otaria flavescens, at the Punta León rookery (Argentina) over a period of 2 years. A total of 136 pups were aged and marked at the beginning of the lactation period ashore, then sampled for lice at different times within 30 days. Sampling was restricted to the chest and belly, two sites where lice were especially abundant. This concentration on ventral areas might protect lice from thermal stress in the austral summer. Infestation patterns in pups ≤3 days old suggested that the potential for transmission increased from first nymphs to adults. Population trends of each instar with …
Scanning electron microscopy of Antarctophthirus microchir (Phthiraptera: Anoplura: Echinophthiriidae): Studying morphological adaptations to aquatic…
2012
The members of the Family Echinophthiriidae (Phthiraptera: Anoplura) are unique among insects because they infest hosts with an amphibious lifestyle. During their evolution they developed morphological traits that are reflected in unique features. The SEM is a helpful tool to analyze them. Knowing in detail the external structure of these lice is the first step to understand the whole process that derived from the co-adaptation of lice and pinnipeds to the marine environment. For the first time, we studied the external structure of all stages of an echinophthiriid louse. The results are discussed in the light of their evolutionary, functional, and ecological implications. Fil: Leonardi, Mar…
Comparison of two partial least squares infrared spectrometric methods for the quality control of pediculosis lotions.
2006
Two vibrational spectroscopy procedures have been developed and compared for the direct and simultaneous determination of piperonyl butoxide and tetramethrin, the active ingredients of alcoholic capillary lotions, for hair pediculosis diseases. Nine lotions, purchased from the Spanish market, were analyzed using both, attenuated total reflectance (ATR) and transmission FT-IR measurements, and based on the use of partial least squares (PLS) multivariate calibration. A reduced set of 15 matched standards (11 for calibration and 4 for validation) was employed using both measurement modes. The spectral wave number ranges between 1757 and 1712 cm(-1) was selected to determine tetramethrin by bot…
Tuning host specificity during the ontogeny of a fish ectoparasite: behavioural responses to host-induced cues
2003
The choice between two alternative hosts, brown trout (Salmo trutta) and roach (Rutilus rutilus), and the response to visual and olfactory cues were studied in the ontogeny of Argulus coregoni. The initial preference of the smallest parasites for brighter roach changed at the age of 2 weeks, at the size of about 2 mm, for trout, a typical salmonid host. Younger argulids were attracted by a non-specific visual stimulus (white disc over dark background), and they did not respond to olfactory stimulation (fish-conditioned water). Later, the response to visual stimuli was modulated by trout-conditioned water, but not by that conditioned by roach. The primary role of vision, particularly in earl…
Fourth case of louse-borne relapsing fever in Young Migrant, Sicily, Italy, December 2015. Mini Review Article
2016
Abstract Objectives Currently louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF) is primarily found in limited endemic foci in Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan; no case of imported LBRF has been reported in Europe in the 9 years prior to 2015. The aim of our paper is to describe a new case of imported LBRF detected in Sicily, Italy, and to review all cases reported in migrants arrived in Europe in the last 10 years. Study design Mini review of all published cases of louse-borne relapsing fever in Europe in the last 10 years. Methods A computerized search without language restriction was conducted using PubMed combining the terms ‘(louse-borne relapsing fever or LBRF or recurrentis) and (refugee or Europe or mig…