Head lice, Pediculus humanus capitis, infestation is an important public health problem in Egypt. Inadequate application of topical pediculicides and the increasing resistance to the commonly used pediculicides made the urgent need for the development of new agents able to induce irreversible changes in the exposed lice leading to their mortality. The aim of the present work is to evaluate pediculicidal efficacy of some natural products such as olive oil, tea tree oil, lemon juice, and ivermectin separately in comparison with tetramethrin-piperonyl butoxide (licid), as a standard pediculicide commonly used in Egypt. The effects of these products were evaluated by direct observation using dissecting and scanning electron microscopes (SEM). Results showed that after 1 hr exposure time in vitro, absolute (100%) mortalities were recorded after exposure to 1% ivermectin and fresh concentrate lemon juice. The mortalities were decreased to 96.7% after exposure to tea tree oil. Very low percentage of mortality (23.3%) was recorded after 1 hr of exposure to extra virgin olive oil. On the other hand, the reference pediculicide (licid) revealed only mortality rate of 93.3%. On the contrary, no mortalities were recorded in the control group exposed to distilled water. By SEM examination, control lice preserved outer smooth architecture, eyes, antenna, respiratory spiracles, sensory hairs, and legs with hook-like claws. In contrast, dead lice which had been exposed to pediculicidal products showed damage of outer smooth architecture, sensory hairs, respiratory spiracles and/or clinching claws according to pediculicidal products used.
Animals ; Biological Products ; Egypt ; Hair ; Hand ; Hoof and Claw ; In Vitro Techniques ; Ivermectin ; Leg ; Mortality ; Olive Oil ; Pediculus* ; Phthiraptera ; Plant Extracts* ; Plants* ; Public Health ; Tea Tree Oil ; Water

Chewing lice (Phthiraptera) that parasitize the globally threatened swan goose Anser cygnoides have been long recognized since the early 19th century, but those records were probably biased towards sampling of captive or domestic geese due to the small population size and limited distribution of its wild hosts. To better understand the lice species parasitizing swan geese that are endemic to East Asia, we collected chewing lice from 14 wild geese caught at 3 lakes in northeastern Mongolia. The lice were morphologically identified as 16 Trinoton anserinum (Fabricius, 1805), 11 Ornithobius domesticus Arnold, 2005, and 1 Anaticola anseris (Linnaeus, 1758). These species are known from other geese and swans, but all of them were new to the swan goose. This result also indicates no overlap in lice species between older records and our findings from wild birds. Thus, ectoparasites collected from domestic or captive animals may provide biased information on the occurrence, prevalence, host selection, and host-ectoparasite interactions from those on wild hosts.
Animals ; Bias (Epidemiology) ; Birds ; Far East ; Geese* ; Lakes ; Mastication* ; Mongolia ; Phthiraptera* ; Population Density ; Prevalence

Chewing lice (Phthiraptera) that parasitize the globally threatened swan goose Anser cygnoides have been long recognized since the early 19th century, but those records were probably biased towards sampling of captive or domestic geese due to the small population size and limited distribution of its wild hosts. To better understand the lice species parasitizing swan geese that are endemic to East Asia, we collected chewing lice from 14 wild geese caught at 3 lakes in northeastern Mongolia. The lice were morphologically identified as 16 Trinoton anserinum (Fabricius, 1805), 11 Ornithobius domesticus Arnold, 2005, and 1 Anaticola anseris (Linnaeus, 1758). These species are known from other geese and swans, but all of them were new to the swan goose. This result also indicates no overlap in lice species between older records and our findings from wild birds. Thus, ectoparasites collected from domestic or captive animals may provide biased information on the occurrence, prevalence, host selection, and host-ectoparasite interactions from those on wild hosts.
Animals ; Bias (Epidemiology) ; Birds ; Far East ; Geese* ; Lakes ; Mastication* ; Mongolia ; Phthiraptera* ; Population Density ; Prevalence

PURPOSE: The authors of the present study report a case of phthiriasis palpebrarum treated with petrolatum ointment and tea tree oil in a 12-month-old boy. CASE SUMMARY: A bluish-gray macule and blood clots were found on the central portion of the upper eyelid of a boy who had rubbed his eyelid vigorously 1 week prior. Several 0.5 mm sized brownish-gray nits and 1.6 mm sized lice on the eyelashes were visible and was diagnosed with phthiriasis palpebrarum after light microscopic examination. The nits and lice were gently removed mechanically with the help of a white petrolatum ointment (Vaseline) and the eyelashes were cleaned with 50% tea tree oil. Nits and lice were successfully eradicated without recurrence 10 days after daily treatment with petrolatum ointment and 10% tea tree oil eyelash cleansing.
Child ; Eyelashes ; Eyelids ; Humans ; Infant ; Light ; Pediculus ; Petrolatum ; Phthiraptera ; Recurrence ; Tea ; Tea Tree Oil

The aim of this article is to provide guidelines to diagnosis and therapeutics for HLI in Korea. Head lice infestation (HLI) caused by Pediculus humanus capitis is still common in Korean children in spite of an improvement since the 1980s in the country's economic status and the concepts of hygiene. HLI is troublesome and, if not treated, can lead to secondary bacterial infection as a result of scratching of the irritated scalp induced by an inflammatory reaction to injected saliva or anticoagulant. In addition, HLI causes social and psychological problems as well as physical symptoms. Confirmation of the HLI depends on identification of adult lice, nymphs, or viable nits. Nits are more commonly found at the nape of the neck and retroauricular areas. The differential diagnosis includes hair casts, dandruff, and debris by hair spray. Few chemical shampoos such as those containing lindane or pyrethrin are currently available in Korea. Although HLI is an important public health issue in Korea, little information is available on HLI. Medical doctors, school nurses, and teachers should be acquainted with HLI for the successful control of this disease, which is distressing a number of children covertly.
Adult ; Arthropods ; Bacterial Infections ; Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Hair ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Korea ; Lindane ; Neck ; Nymph ; Pediculus ; Phthiraptera ; Public Health ; Saliva ; Scalp ; Skin ; Skin Diseases

Pthiriasis palpebrarum is a rare disease in which crab lice infest the eyelashes. It can cause pruritic lid margins, and it is difficult to diagnose and treat. We diagnosed and managed a case of pthiriasis palpebrarum in the right upper eyelid of a 35 month-old male child. We removed the lice and nits by pulling with fine forceps using dermoscopy. After treatment, all lice and nits had been eradicated without recurrence. We suggest that this is an effective, safe method for diagnosis and treatment of pthiriasis palpebrarum.
Child ; Dermoscopy ; Eyelashes ; Eyelids ; Humans ; Lice Infestations ; Male ; Pediculus ; Phthiraptera ; Phthirus ; Rare Diseases ; Recurrence ; Surgical Instruments

Pediculosis (phthiriasis) palpebrarum is a rare disease which occurs on the eyelashes and is caused by Phthiriasis pubis (crab louse). The common symptoms are pruritus, irritation and foreign body sensation, but it is rarely associated with ocular diseases such as blepharitis, conjunctivitis or secondary bacterial infection. We report a case of pediculosis palpebrarum in a 3-year-old girl who had several lice and many nits on both eyelashes, and this was accompanied with blepharitis. She was treated by removal of lice and nits with fine forces, then application of petrolatum ointment twice a day for 7 days.
Bacterial Infections ; Blepharitis ; Child, Preschool ; Conjunctivitis ; Eyelashes ; Female* ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Lice Infestations* ; Pediculus ; Petrolatum ; Phthiraptera ; Pruritus ; Rare Diseases ; Sensation

A two year old male child complained of foreign body sensations bilaterally, and an itching sensation at both upper and lower eyelids for 2 months of duration. He was diagnosed with Phthiriasis palpebrarum after observation of adult louse and nits on slit-lamp examination. The treatment was accomplished by mechanical removal of the lices and nits by forceps and scissors, and then irrigation with 20% fluorescein was done under general anesthesia. Antibiotic eyedrops and ointment were applied to both eyes. The morphologic evaluation was performed with light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The follow-up interval was every weeks for one month and no louse or nit was found under slit-lamp examination. So we concluded that the Phthiriasis palpebrarum was eradiated completely. We report a case of Phthriasis palpebrarum had been review of the literatures.
Adult ; Anesthesia, General ; Child* ; Eyelids* ; Fluorescein ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Male ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Ophthalmic Solutions ; Pediculus ; Phthiraptera ; Pruritus ; Sensation ; Surgical Instruments

The majority of the crab louse is found in pubic hairs, but some of them will colonize axillary hairs, eyelashes, eyebrows and occasionally scalp hairs. In children crab louse may colonize the eyelashes and scalp hairs. The authors found a crab louse, Phthirus pubis and their nits on the eyelashes and scalp hiars of 25-months-old female who complained of foreign body and itching sensation of her right upper lid. Treatment is accomplished by careful mechanical removal of the louse and nits followed by the epilation and application of antibiotic eyedrops or ointments. We report a case of Phthiriasis palpebrarum in children.
Child* ; Colon ; Eyebrows ; Eyelashes ; Female ; Foreign Bodies ; Hair ; Hair Removal ; Humans ; Ointments ; Ophthalmic Solutions ; Pediculus ; Phthiraptera ; Phthirus ; Pruritus ; Scalp ; Sensation

The pubic louse, Pthirus pubis is a blood-sucking ectoparasite adapted to hold onto pubic, axillary and body hairs. It is usually confined to the pubic and inguinal region. However, it may also rarely involve the scalp and eyelashes. We report two cases of phthiriasis occurring on unusual sites, the first case occurring on the scalp of a 5 month-old male infant, and the second case on the eyelashes of a 49-year-old fe-male.
Eyelashes ; Hair ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phthiraptera ; Scalp