“Epidemic typhus caused by Rickettsia prowazekii is one of the oldest pestilential diseases of humankind. The disease is transmitted to human beings by the body louse Pediculus humanus corporis and is still considered a major threat by public health authorities, despite the efficacy of antibiotics, because poor sanitary conditions are conducive to louse proliferation. Epidemic typhus has accompanied disasters that impact humanity and has arguably determined the outcome of more wars than have soldiers and generals. The detection, identification, and characterization of microorganisms in ancient remains by paleomicrobiology has permitted the diagnosis of past epidemic typhus outbreaks through the detection of R. prowazekii. Various techniques, including microscopy and immunodetection, can be …
An outbreak of pubic louse infestation on the scalp hair of elderly women.
An outbreak of pubic louse infestation on the scalp hair of elderly women was recently documented in July 2016.Source: Eto A1, Nakamura M1, Ito S1, Tanaka M1, Furue M2. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2016 Jul 22. See full article: "An outbreak of pubic louse infestation on the scalp hair of elderly women." …
An outbreak of pubic louse infestation on the scalp hair of elderly women.Read More
Louse-Borne Relapsing Fever (Borrelia recurrentis) in a Somali Refugee Arriving in Italy: A Re-emerging Infection in Europe?
“Louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF) is an acute febrile infection that is typically characterizedby one to three fairly regular waves of bacteremia [1,2]. It is caused by Borrelia recurrentis,amotile spirochete that measures 5 to 40 μm in length. The microorganism is transmitted fromperson to person by the human body louse (Pediculus humanus humanus). Disruptions in san-itation during wartime and mass migrations of people provide conditions that favor the propa-gation of body lice and thus the occurrence of outbreaks of the disease [1,3]. LBRF is endemicin East Africa (e.g., Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan) with the highest number of casesobserved in Ethiopia, where it is the seventh most common cause of hospital admission andthe fifth most common cause of death [4,5]. We report here …
Severe pediculosis capitus: a case of “crusted lice” with autoeczematization
“Pediculosis humanus capitus infestations are common and classically present with intense pruritus of the scalp. Although many treatment options are available, lice are becoming more resistant to conventional therapies and severe clinical presentations are bound to become more prevalent. We present a case of treatment-resistant pediculosis capitus resulting in diffuse autoeczematization of the torso and extremities and severe crusting and scaling of the scalp, which we called “crusted lice.” This eruption differs from the well-described id reaction known as “pediculid” and represents a more dramatic manifestation of rampant infestation. This paper provides an up-to-date review of treatment options available for pediculosis humanus capitus, including newer medications like the ones that …
Severe pediculosis capitus: a case of “crusted lice” with autoeczematizationRead More
Detection of Wolbachia in Human Lice
“Confirming the widespread presence of Wolbachia in lice would provide an immediate impetus to new approaches in the research effort to control of lice and improve the treatment of pediculosis in humans. Since it was not present in our samples, it may be that another bacterium may play the role posited for Wolbachia.”Source: Anderson, Matthew, and Eremeeva, Marina E., Georgia Southern University. See full article: "Detection of Wolbachia in Human Lice." …
Index of Human Louse and Disease Articles collected prior to 2016
The Human Louse and Disease Recent Studies Support the Critical Need for Preparedness and Lice Prevention "One of the greatest achievements in the war which the medical sciences have waged against epidemic diseases is the discovery that, during times of quiescence in interepidemic periods, the potential agents of disease may smolder in human carriers, in domestic animals - especially rodents, - and in insects." Hans Zinsser - Rats, Lice and History Pediculosis capitis is the medical term for an infestation of head lice. It is itself an infectious disease. Head lice are highly communicable parasites specific to humans. They require blood meals to survive and have been associated with various infections including rickettsial diseases. Newer technologies are validating research …
Index of Human Louse and Disease Articles collected prior to 2016Read More
Frankowski Letter to Altschuler
Followup to article on head lice in the Washington Post. See full letter. …
A creepy-crawly head bug one Fargo mother can’t rid her daughter of
"It's a bug one Fargo mother can't shake and it’s costing her roughly $600 dollars to rid her daughter of head lice. Parent Jamie White had heard of other kids complaining about lice in the classroom. We spoke to the family who said this is in fact where her child keeps picking up the bug. They want to see more preventative efforts taken." -- Source: Valley News …
A creepy-crawly head bug one Fargo mother can’t rid her daughter ofRead More
Ms. Altschuler profiled on Amazing Women Everywhere
"Deborah Z. Altschuler is president of the National Pediculosis Association (NPA), a mother, grandmother, and advocate for all children. She has worked tirelessly for years educating parents , professionals and the general public on the safe way to treat headlice, without exposing children to toxic pesticides. The LiceMeister comb is the safest non toxic way to treat head lice. In fact in 2011 the Stockholm Convention identified the LiceMeister comb as a POPs-free product and featured it at a global meeting of more than 150 countries, as the safe, non-chemical treatment choice over the use of lindane and other pharmaceutical applications using insecticides." -- Source: Amazing Women Everywhere …
Ms. Altschuler profiled on Amazing Women EverywhereRead More