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PubMed2003

[Prevalence of pediculus humanus capitis infestation in schoolchildren at Despeñaderos, Córdoba Province].

BACKGROUND: Approximately 80% of Argentine children have pediculosis, making it imperious to detect the defects in the prevention and control actions for this parasitosis. OBJECTIVES: To study the infestation level by P. h. capitis, its temporal variation, and the association between infestation and host characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A monthly census in children of 6-8 years old from 2 primary schools (state and private) was carried out, recording the parasite stages found, children characteristics (sex, colour and length of hair), and infestation level. Data were analysed by means of contingency tables, difference of proportions, quotient of chances, and rank correlation coefficient. The independence of variables was analysed by c' test. RESULTS: The prevalence and chances of becoming infested were higher at the state school, where also all infestation levels were recorded, which did not occur at the private institute. The frequency of children infested was significantly lower when they had short hair. The correlation among infestation degree and hair length (short-long) was only significant for boys. Pediculosis cases were recorded at the beginning of the school year in both educative institutions, which demonstrated that infestation was acquired not only at school but also at home. CONCLUSIONS: Pediculosis is a social problems and the whole community must participate in preventive and control actions, for which sanitary education is essential, and the myth that the school is the only place of contagion must be eradicated.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

A study on morbidity pattern of child labourers engaged in different occupations in a slum area of Calcutta.

A cross-sectional study of 150 child labourers engaged in different occupations in a slum area of Calcutta was conducted to assess their health and nutritional status. Most (88%) of them had some type of morbidity. Female child workers (95.5%) suffered more than the males (84.7%). Most prevalent morbidities among the child labourers were seen as pallor (49.3%) followed by pediculosis (48%), dental caries (28.6%), malnutrition (22.6%), worm infestation (20.6%) and scabies (16.6%). Garage workers were observed to suffer less from any type of morbidity except pallor which may be attributed to lead exposure. Rag-pickers had significantly (p < 0.05) more risk of developing worm infestation, scabies and pediculosis whereas domestic helpers had significantly (p < 0.05) more risk of developing pediculosis. Occupational hazards were also studied but excepting pallor in garage workers and scabies in rag-pickers, nothing could be documented.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Sexually transmitted parasitic diseases.

Sexual activity is the primary method of transmission for several important parasitic diseases and has resulted in a significant prevalence of enteric parasitic infection among male homosexuals. The majority of parasitic sexually transmitted diseases involve protozoan pathogens; however, nematode and arthropod illnesses are also included in this group. Trichomoniasis, caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, is the most common parasitic STD. Infection with this organism typically results in the signs and symptoms of vaginitis. Trichomoniasis can be diagnosed in the office setting by performing a microscopic evaluation of infected vaginal secretions and can be successfully treated with metronidazole. Both pediculosis pubis, caused by the crab louse Pthirus pubis, and scabies, caused by the itch mite Sarcoptes scabiei, present with severe pruritus. A papular or vesicular rash and linear burrows seen in the finger webs and genital area are characteristic of scabies. Pediculosis pubis is diagnosed by observing adult lice or their nits in areas that bear coarse hair. The diagnosis of scabies is confirmed by scraping suspicious burrows and viewing the mite or its byproducts under the microscope. Lindane, 1% used in treating scabies, is also very effective for treating pediculosis pubis. Synthetic pyrethrins, also applied as a cream or lotion, are less toxic alternatives for the treatment of either condition. Oral-anal and oral-genital sexual practices predispose male homosexuals to infection with many enteric pathogens, including parasitic protozoans and helminths. The most common of these parasitic infections are amebiasis, caused by Entamoeba histolytica, and giardiasis caused by Giardia lamblia. Both entities may cause acute or chronic diarrhea, as well as other abdominal symptoms. Most gay men with amebiasis are asymptomatic, and invasive disease in this group is extremely rare. Both amebiasis and giardiasis can be diagnosed on the basis of microscopic examination of stool specimens, although duodenal aspiration is occasionally necessary to confirm a diagnosis of giardiasis. Multiple treatment regimens exist for amebiasis. Iodoquinol is a good choice for asymptomatic cyst carriers, whereas the combination of metronidazole plus iodoquinol is used for symptomatic patients. Quinacrine and metronidazole are both efficacious in the treatment of giardiasis.

Amebiasis↗
PubMed2004

Ectoparasites--the underestimated realm.

CONTEXT: Ectoparasitoses (infestations with parasites that live on or in the skin) can cause considerable morbidity. Whereas pediculosis and scabies are ubiquitous, cutaneous larva migrans and tungiasis (sand-flea disease) occur mainly in hot climates. The prevalence of ectoparasitoses in the general population is usually low, but can be high in vulnerable groups. Scientific knowledge on how to deal best with parasitic skin diseases in different settings is scanty, and evidence-based measures for control are not available. For head lice and scabies the situation is daunting, because resistance of Pediculus humanus capitis and Sarcoptes scabiei to insecticides is spreading and unpredictable. STARTING POINT: J Hunter and S Barker reported different patterns of resistance in schoolchildren in Brisbane, Australia: full resistance to malathion, permethrin, and pyrethrum in two schools, whereas head lice were susceptible to malathion and, to a lesser extent, to pyrethrums in three other schools (Parasitol Res 2003; 90: 476-78). K Yoon and colleagues found different resistance patterns in the USA and Ecuador (Arch Dermatol 2003; 139: 994-1000). Head lice from Florida were less susceptible to permethrin than those from Texas, and parasites from Ecuador were susceptible to both insecticides tested. WHERE NEXT? The occurrence of resistant pediculosis and scabies is expected to increase numerically and geographically. Clinicoepidemiological studies are urgently needed to identify the factors which govern the emergence and spread of strains of P humanus capitis and S scabiei that are resistant to insecticide or acaricide. Oral treatment with ivermectin could substitute for topically applied compounds, particularly in resource-poor communities where polyparasitism is common. A better understanding of local epidemiology is required to develop control measures. This knowledge has to be applied in combination with environmental sanitation, health education, and culturally acceptable interventions that are affordable by the underprivileged.

Drug Resistance↗
PubMed2003

Parasitic skin diseases: health care-seeking in a slum in north-east Brazil.

Ectoparasitic diseases are endemic in many poor communities in north-east Brazil, and heavy infestation is frequent. We conducted two studies to assess disease perception and health care seeking behaviour in relation to parasitic skin diseases and to determine their public health importance. The first study comprised a representative cross-sectional survey of the population of a slum in north-east Brazil. Inhabitants were examined for the presence of scabies, tungiasis, pediculosis and cutaneous larva migrans (CLM). The second study assessed health care seeking behaviour related to these ectoparasitic diseases of patients attending a Primary Health Care Centre (PHCC) adjacent to the slum. Point prevalence rates in the community were: head lice 43.3% (95% CI: 40.5-46.3), tungiasis 33.6% (95% CI: 30.9-36.4), scabies 8.8% (95% CI: 7.3-10.6) and CLM 3.1% (95% CI: 2.2-4.3). Point prevalence rates of patients attending the PHCC were: head lice 38.2% (95% CI: 32.6-44.1), tungiasis 19.1% (95% CI: 14.7-24.1), scabies 18.8% (95% CI: 14.4-23.7) and CLM 2.1% (95% CI: 0.8-4.5). Only 28 of 54 patients with scabies, three of 55 patients with tungiasis, four of six patients with CLM and zero of 110 patients with head lice sought medical assistance. The physicians of the PHCC only diagnosed a parasitic skin disease when it was pointed out by the patient himself. In all cases patients were correctly informed about the ectoparasites they carried. The results show that tungiasis and pediculosis, and to a lesser extent scabies and CLM, are hyperendemic but neglected by both population and physicians, and that prevalence rates of tungiasis and scabies at the PHCC do not reflect the true prevalence of these diseases in the community.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of skin conditions in primary school children in Turkey: differences based on socioeconomic factors.

Skin diseases are associated with environmental factors and a public health approach is particularly important. We determined the prevalence of skin conditions and associated socioeconomic factors in primary school children in Turkey. A questionnaire for determining the socioeconomic level and a complete dermatologic examination were performed in 785 children in two primary schools in different socioeconomic areas of suburban and central Manisa, Turkey. The study included 345 (43.9%) girls and 440 (56.1%) boys with a mean age of 9.25 +/- 1.55 (range 6-14 years). Infectious skin diseases were frequently observed: pediculosis capitis in 74 children (9.4%), scabies in 17 (2.2%), viral skin diseases in 30 (3.8%), and fungal infections in 6 (0.7%). The other common conditions were melanocytic nevi (14.4%), keratosis pilaris (12.5%), pityriasis alba (12%), xerosis (11.8%), and atopic dermatitis (6.8%). Pediculosis capitis, acne, and dandruff were more common in girls. The rate of infections, atopic dermatitis, xerosis, and pityriasis alba were significantly higher in the school children with poor socioeconomic conditions. Improvement in socioeconomic conditions along with education may be needed to decrease the prevalence of some of these skin disorders in order to decrease costs related to treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Head lice infestation in some urban localities of NWFP, Pakistan.

The prevalence of head lice infestation was estimated among the general population of four urban localities in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan during 1986. Altogether 1002 persons (656 females, 346 males) were screened by visual inspection and combing of the head. The overall infestation rate was 36.7%, with females showing a higher prevalence (41.5%) than males (27.7%). The prevalence did not differ significantly with locality, and exhibited only a slight seasonal variation. Pediculosis was high in the five to 19 year old age-group, beyond which it decreased, gradually in females and abruptly in males. Higher rate of infestation in females could be attributed to their long hair. A significant negative association between pediculosis and dandruff was noticed in males but not in females. Crowding and low level of education, which reflect poor socio-economic status, apparently contributed to higher rate of infestation. Prevalence was directly related to the number of children per family, suggesting that school children perhaps play an important role in the distribution of lice. Intensity of infestation, like prevalence, was higher in females than males, and decreased with age in both sexes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Comparative prevalence rates of sexually transmitted diseases in heterosexual and homosexual men.

This study compared prevalence rates of most common sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in heterosexual and homosexual men who made respectively 12,201 and 5324 visits to an STD clinic over 18 months. Overall, homosexual men were significantly (p < 0.001) more likely than heterosexual men to have gonorrhea (30.31% vs. 19.83%), early syphilis (1.08% vs. 0.34%) and anal warts (2.90% vs. 0.26%) but less likely to have nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) (14.63% vs. 36.40%, p < 0.001), herpes genitalis (0.93% vs. 3.65%, p < 0.001), pediculosis pubis (4.30% vs. 5.35%, p < 0.005), scabies (0.42% vs. 0.76%, p < 0.02), and genital warts (1.68% vs. 6.69%, p < 0.001). In most cases the differences in rates remained significant (p < 0.05) when corrected for age and race. It is speculated that higher rates of gonorrhea and syphilis result from a larger mean number of sexual contacts, more potential sites of infection, and more hidden and asymptomatic disease, while the lower rates of the other STD result from a lesser susceptibility of anal mucosa to the causative agent(s) of NGU, herpes genitalis, and venereal warts or from a lack of pubic apposition (pediculosis pubis).

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparative rates of sexually transmitted diseases among heterosexual men, homosexual men, and heterosexual women.

The prevalences of several sexually transmitted diseases (STD) among patients attending a public STD clinic were determined in a prospective study. Rates of gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes, trichomoniasis, nongonococcal urethritis, pediculosis pubis, scabies, and venereal warts were ascertained according to sex, sexual preference, and race. Numbers of cases of diseases not routinely reported to most public health agencies exceeded numbers of cases of diseases that are routinely reported. Rates of gonorrhea were higher among men than among women and higher among blacks than among whites. Syphilis was most common among homosexual men. Trichomoniasis was three times more frequent among blacks than among whites. Rates of nongonococcal urethritis among heterosexual men were almost twice those among homosexual men. Whites were more likely than blacks to have pediculosis pubis, scabies, and venereal warts. STD not routinely reported to most public health agencies are commonly seen in public clinics, and rates vary according to sex, sexual preference, and race.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1985

Epidemiologic approach to community dermatology.

A survey on communicable dermatoses in economically weak villages in India showed wide variations in prevalence rates in similar ecologic setup. A skin diseases, on-spot-treatment, 1-day-camp was organized to treat 1787 subjects in five villages. Two applications of 1% lindane 1 week apart was the only treatment used without attending to hygiene for scabies and pediculosis. Application of 1% gentian violet with four daily doses of sulfamethoxy-pysidazine was administered for pyoderma. The cure rate for scabies and pediculosis was 86%. Epidemiologic determinants of communicable dermatoses are the most important factors in the practice of community dermatology.

Allied Health Personnel↗
PubMed1989

Clinical evaluation of an after-pediculicide nit removal system.

A significant problem in the management of pediculosis is the removal of nits from the hair after pediculicide treatment. This study describes use of a nit removal system incorporating a cream rinse containing formic acid that loosens the bond between the nit and hair. Twenty-four children with pediculosis capitis, age 4 to 12 years, were evaluated. Sections of hair with equivalent numbers of nits were identified as control or test sites. Combining for 5 minutes after use of the formic acid rinse removed 93.5% of nits compared with a 27.6% reduction in the control section (p less than 0.0001). These results demonstrate that use of this nit removal system greatly facilitates nit removal.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Head lice prevalence in primary schools in Victoria, Australia.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of and assess risk factors associated with head lice infections (pediculosis) in children from government primary schools in Victoria, Australia. METHODS: Between May and October 2001, children were selected by clustered random sampling of schools and classes, then examined for head lice using hair conditioner and a fine-toothed head lice comb. There were 1838 children screened from 16 primary schools. Risk factors evaluated included metropolitan or rural residence, school class, gender and hair length. RESULTS: Thirteen percent of children (239/1838) had an active infection (95% CI, 10.9-15.1) and 3.3% (61/1838) had an inactive infection (95% CI, 2.0-4.6). Prevalence of active pediculosis varied between schools from 0 to 28%. Our screening identified no more than one case per class in the majority of classes screened (58.5%). Females were 2.2 times more likely to have active infection than males (95% CI [1.7,2.9]) and there was no significant difference for the other risk factors investigated. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated the prevalence of head lice varied across Victoria and showed that risk factors commonly attributed to head lice infections did not hold true. Our findings support the premise that traditional ad hoc mass school-based screening may not be the best use of resources when controlling head lice. We suggest a more pragmatic community-based approach.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Epidemiological survey of skin diseases in schoolchildren living in the Purus Valley (Acre State, Amazonia, Brazil).

A total of 9,955 schoolchildren aged 6-16 years have been examined in a tropical region. The prevalence of dermatosis varied from 21 to 87% in the municipalities surveyed. The most common dermatoses were pediculosis (prevalence 50%), nevi (16.8%), pityriasis versicolor (13.2%), pyoderma (12.2%), pityriasis alba (9.9%), dermatophytosis (6.2%), viral dermatosis (6.2%), scabies (3.0%) and acne vulgaris (2.7%). The prevalence of angular stomatitis, miliaria rubra, candidiasis, piedra nigra, keratosis pilaris, ephelides and geographic tongue is lower but still relatively high. Females had higher rates of pediculosis capitis and males higher prevalence of pityriasis alba. The prevalence of pityriasis versicolor, pigmented nevus and scabies was similar in males and females. Folliculitis, macular pigmented nevi and especially pityriasis versicolor tended to increase with age. Leprosy is hyperendemic in the surveyed area and its rate in the schoolchildren examined was 0.08%. Population movement (urbanization), socioeconomic situation, living conditions, promiscuity, and lack of hygiene may be the cause of such high prevalence and of association of two or more skin conditions. Climatic conditions might have enhanced the prevalence of certain dermatoses (pityriasis versicolor, dermatophytosis, piedra nigra, candidiasis, miliaria rubra).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Rapunzel's place.

This paper describes an innovative approach to personal hygiene education and intervention and pediculosis management in an elementary school. The three-phase project consisted of a hand-washing program, distribution of personal hygiene packets, pediculosis education, and intervention which culminated in the establishment of a school-based beauty salon.

Beauty Culture↗
PubMed1993

Insecticides against headlice in Glasgow.

A postal questionnaire for describing current practices of insecticide usage for the prevention and treatment of pediculosis was sent to 53 pharmacists in Glasgow. 91% returned completed questionnaires. Between 19,000 to 36,000 bottles of insecticide against headlice were bought by the public in Glasgow in 1991. Most of these were sold in small volumes (less than 100 ml) and sales were highest during the autumn. Although pharmacists sold a range of different classes of insecticide, the most popular were those that contained malathion, the treatment for pediculosis recommended by the Health Board. Choice of treatment was probably influenced by advice given to the public by pharmacists and general practitioners. Clients preferred shampoo formulations. There was evidence that treatments were used prophylactically against headlice. However, there was little indication of large scale resistance to insecticides in the louse population. The results indicate that headlice remain a persistent problem in Glasgow, despite the public adhering to the advice of health professionals.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Pediculus capitis infestation according to sex and social factors in Argentina.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the intensity of Pediculus capitis infestation (abundance) among Argentinean schoolchildren. Children's sex and social stratum were analyzed as modifiers of the general prevalence and degree of parasitism. METHODS: The study included 1,370 schoolchildren (692 girls, 678 boys) from 26 schools of the province of La Rioja (21 public schools, five private schools). Classic prevalence was obtained as the percentage of children with nits and/or lice. Moreover, five degrees of parasitism were classified: 0) children with no signs of pediculosis; 0+) children with evidence of past infestation; 1) children with a recent infestation and low probability of active parasitism; 2) children with a recent infestation and high probability of active parasitism; 3) children with mobile lice (active pediculosis). RESULTS: The general prevalence was 61.4% (girls: 79%; boys: 44%, p<0.001). Private schools showed lower prevalence than public schools (p=0.02), especially due to the low prevalence in boys. Fifty percent of children were classified in classes 0 and 0+, 22% in class 1; and 28% in grades 2 and 3. The proportion of children in grade 3 was higher in public schools than in private schools. There were significant sexual differences in the intensity of parasitism for grades 2 and 3, where girls' rates exceeded twice those of boys'. CONCLUSIONS: Sex and social stratum are important modifiers of P. capitis general prevalence and degree of infestation. The classification of children by intensity of infestation allowed a more precise delimitation of this condition, which is especially important for disease surveillance and application of control measures.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

[Pediatric head lice: taxonomy, incidence, resistance, delousing].

Based on the current knowledge, head louse (Pediculus capitis) and body louse (Pediculus humanus) are two different species that infest specific parts of the human body and do not interbreed in vivo. In 1991-2002, 6 257 cases of pediculosis were reported in the Czech Republic while 3 138 000 pediculicide packagings, i.e. about 500 times as many as the number of cases, were marketed. Between October 2004 and February 2005, a total of 531 children aged between 6 and 15 years from 16 selected schools in the Zlín and Olomouc regions were screened by dry hair combing. Living lice were detected in 14.1% of the enrolled children and dead nits alone were observed in other 9.8% of the subjects. In vitro tests revealed that the collected head lice were highly resistant to malathion, the active ingredient of Diffusil H 92 M. The number of reported cases of pediculosis roughly doubled in 2005.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Scabies, lice, and fungal infections.

Scabies and pediculosis capitis are frequent and often unrecognized causes of multiple streptococcal and staphylococcal pyodermas. Permethrin 1 per cent creme rinse (NIX) for head lice, and permethrin 5 per cent topical cream for scabies are new, highly effective, safe, and cosmetically elegant treatments which have shown superiority over older remedies. In populations in which pediculosis and scabies have resisted traditional lindane therapy, patients promptly responded to these permethrin products. Scabies in nursing homes is a persistent and expanding problem which demands a high level of diagnostic suspicion and an integrated approach to management. For fungal infections, several new broad-spectrum oral and topical agents have been introduced. Their successful use is enhanced by appropriate diagnostic tests which can be performed in the office setting. Recommendations and references are given to assist the physician in diagnosis and choice of therapy.

Antifungal Agents↗