Head-lice infestation, pediculosis capitis, remains a public-health burden in many countries. The widely used first-line pediculicides and alternative treatments are often too costly for use in poor socio-economic settings. Ivermectin has been considered an alternate treatment for field practice. This study was composed of 2 parts, a cross-sectional survey and an intervention study. The main objectives were to determine the prevalence and potential factors associated with head-lice infestation, and to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of oral ivermectin administration. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 890 villagers in rural areas along Thai-Myanmar border. Females with infestations were eligible for the intervention study, and 181 participated in the intervention study. A post-treatment survey was conducted to assess acceptance of ivermectin as a treatment choice. Data analysis used descriptive statistics and a generalized-estimation-equation model adjusted for cluster effect. The study revealed the prevalence of head-lice infestation was 50% among females and only 3% among males. Age stratification showed a high prevalence among females aged <20 years, and among 50% of female school-children. The prevalence was persistent among those with a history of infestation. The major risk factors were residing in a setting with other infected cases, and sharing a hair comb. The study also confirmed that ivermectin was safe and effective for field-based practice. It was considered a preferable treatment option. In conclusion, behavior-change communication should be implemented to reduce the observed high prevalence of head-lice infestation. Ivermectin may be an alternative choice for head-lice treatment, especially in remote areas.
Animals ; Comb and Wattles ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Hair ; Humans ; Ivermectin ; Lice Infestations ; Male ; Pediculus ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Rural Health ; Statistics as Topic ; Thailand

Phthirus pubis usually infests the pubis, groin, buttocks and perianal region. It can sometimes infest the thighs, abdomen, chest, axillae and beard. Eyelashes and eyebrows may be involved in children. The involvement of the scalp is very rare. We describe a case of P. pubis infestation located exclusively on the scalp in an adult woman. Neither lice/nits nor skin lesions were observed elsewhere, including eyebrows, eyelashes, axillae, pubis, buttocks and perianal region (the patient was hairless in the axillae and pubis). A review of the literature is enclosed.
Abdomen ; Adult ; Axilla ; Buttocks ; Child ; Eyebrows ; Eyelashes ; Female ; Groin ; Humans ; Phthirus ; Pubic Bone ; Scalp ; Skin ; Thigh ; Thorax

The high prevalence of pediculosis capitis, commonly known as head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) infestation, has led to the preparation of a community-based pediculicidal ointment, which is made of common household items and the extract of Tinospora crispa stem. The present study aimed to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and physicochemical characteristics of the T. crispa pediculicidal ointment. The physicochemical properties of the ointment were characterized, and safety was determined using acute dermal irritation test (OECD 404), while the efficacy was assessed using an in vitro pediculicidal assay. Furthermore, the chemical compounds present in T. crispa were identified using liquid-liquid extraction followed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometric (UPLC-qTOF/MS) analysis. The community-based ointment formulation was light yellow in color, homogeneous, smooth, with distinct aromatic odor and pH of 6.92±0.09. It has spreadability value of 15.04±0.98 g·cm/sec and has thixotropic behavior. It was also found to be non-irritant, with a primary irritation index value of 0.15. Moreover, it was comparable to the pediculicidal activity of the positive control Kwell®, a commercially available 1% permethrin shampoo (P>0.05), and was significantly different to the activity of the negative control ointment, a mixture of palm oil and candle wax (P<0.05). These findings suggested that the community-based T. crispa pediculicidal ointment is safe and effective, having acceptable physicochemical characteristics. Its activity can be attributed to the presence of compounds moupinamide and physalin I.
Chromatography, Liquid ; Family Characteristics ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; In Vitro Techniques ; Lice Infestations ; Liquid-Liquid Extraction ; Odors ; Pediculus* ; Permethrin ; Prevalence ; Tinospora*

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

Animals ; Axilla ; Humans ; Lice Infestations ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phthirus ; Sweat Gland Diseases ; etiology

Objective: To determine the efficacy of cooking coconut oil and vinegar as compared to 1% Permethrin shampoo in the treatment of Pediculosis humanus capitis in children 3 – 12 years old. Methodology: The study was conducted in Barangay 704, Zone 77 in Malate among children 3 – 12 years old. Two hundred forty-five subjects were screened and the computed sample size was 150. Subjects were randomized to three treatment groups: coconut oil (CO) group; vinegar plus coconut oil (CV) group; and 1% permethrin shampoo (PS) group. Treatments were given on the 1st and 8th day. The final level of infestation was determined on the 14th day. Cure rates, failure rates, and expenses were also determined. Results: Permethrin achieved superiority over plain coconut oil (X2=18.77 p-value = 0.00). There was no sufficient evidence to prove the superiority of permethrin over coconut-vinegar solution (X2=1.04 p-value = 0.30). Twenty-two percent (11) of the participants from the PS group developed itching and irritation. No adverse effect was reported from the CO and CV groups. Permethrin was 14 times and five times more expensive than coconut oil and vinegar plus coconut oil, respectively. Conclusion Permethrin shampoo had a cure rate of 98%. Plain coconut oil and vinegar plus coconut oil had cure rates of 68% and 94%, respectively. Plain coconut oil had the highest failure rate at 36%, vinegar plus coconut oil at 6%, and permethrin shampoo with 2%. Adverse effects were exclusive to the PS group. Plain coconut oil was the most economical but coconut oil with vinegar with its significant cure rate can be an alternative therapy to permethrin shampoo in the treatment of head lice in children.
Pediculus ; Coconut Oil ; Acetic Acid ; Permethrin ; Lice Infestations

To determine whether pinworm infections and head lice infestations spread among children in orphanages, 117 children from 4 orphanages in Busan-si and Ulsan-si, Korea, were examined for enterobiasis and head lice infestation between January and February 2014. The overall rate of Enterobius vermicularis egg positivity was 0.85%, whereas none of the children had head lice infestations. The rate of pinworm infection was much lower among the orphanage children compared to the rates observed in previous studies among kindergarten and primary school students. Moreover, the risk factors for enterobiasis were less frequent among these subjects than previously reported. The personal hygiene and health of the orphanage children were supervised by a regular, employed nurse through a health education program. In conclusion, pinworm infection was efficiently controlled among the children in orphanages, and this might be related to good personal hygiene practices in Korea.
Adolescent ; Animals ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Enterobiasis/*epidemiology/parasitology ; Enterobius/genetics/*isolation & purification/physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Lice Infestations/*epidemiology/parasitology ; Male ; Orphanages/statistics & numerical data ; Pediculus/genetics/*physiology ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology

BACKGROUND: Pediculosis continues to be a common yet neglected public health problem especially in children. Trials to test for effectiveness for head lice interventions are heterogeneous, and a recent systematic review recommended  the use of cluster randomization and centralized administration (e.g. school) of permethrin for pediculosis trials.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of a school-based to a home-based intervention using permethrin 1% shampoo in treating pediculosis capitis. 

METHODS: We conducted a pragmatic, cluster-randomized trial at the Makati Elementary School. All Grade Four students  (n = 211), belonging to a total of five class sections, were invited to participate in the study. Students with a known allergic reaction to permethrin 1% shampoo, with open wounds on the scalp, or were absent on Days 1 or 10 of the intervention period were excluded. The five class sections were randomized to receive permethrin 1% shampoo to be applied either in school, or at home. The students were classified as having none, light, medium, or heavy infestation prior to Day 1 and after Day 10 treatment. Prevalence, incidence, and treatment outcomes were measured.

RESULTS: The baseline prevalence of pediculosis capitis was 58.4%. General characteristics of students were similar between groups. No significant clustering in pediculosis classification was observed. The school-based group had the same prevalence in pediculosis at Days 1 and 10, had no incident cases, and were limited to light infestation by Day 10, but had no treatment success outcomes. The home-based group had increased prevalence by Day 10, poor compliance with Day 1 and 10 shampoo,  incident cases, although it registered a higher treatment success rate.

CONCLUSION: Compared to standard home based intervention, a school-based strategy resulted in less incident cases (0% vs. 37%), reduction in pediculosis severity (p = 0.007), and higher compliance (100% vs. 58.3%). Control of pediculosis in this specific community is largely warranted because of its high prevalence rate of 59.7%.

 

Human ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Pediculus ; Lice Infestations ; Permethrin ; Scalp ; Public Health ; Schools ; Treatment Outcome ; Students ; Hypersensitivity