1/39. Persistent head lice following multiple treatments: evidence for insecticide resistance in pediculus humanus capitis. Viable head lice were found on the scalps of two family members following multiple topical insecticide treatments. The possibility of reinfestation had been reliably excluded. Persistent infestation could be diagnosed only after cutting the hair and combing repeatedly, which allowed visualization of juvenile (nymphal) and adult lice. Insecticide-resistant headlouse infestations are probably much more common than is generally realised and may persist unnoticed, so that more aggressive approaches will be needed to eradicate these ectoparasites from individuals and communities. ( info) |
2/39. A case of pubic lice resistant to pyrethrins. BACKGROUND: Effective therapeutic protocols for the treatment of pubic lice include application of approved insecticidal products to all body and scalp hair, retreatment at seven days, and use of mechanical removal of lice and eggs. OBJECTIVE: We report here infection with pubic lice in a 43 year old male in australia which failed to be eradicated by adequate therapy with a pyrethrin and piperonyl butoxide product. DISCUSSION: Pubic lice collected from the case survived after exposure to the same product in vitro. The infestation was cured by use of 5% permethrin. This appears to be the first report of Pthirus pubis resistant to insecticides, in this case pyrethrins and their synergist, piperonyl butoxide. ( info) |
3/39. Outbreak of head pediculosis during SFINCSS-99 isolation experiment. This short case report presents the development and treatment of a head lice outbreak during a space simulation experiment. The confinement experiment was conducted from July 1999 to March 2000 at the State research Center of the Russian Federation Institute for Biomedical Problems in moscow. Following a symptom period of up to 9 wk before diagnosis and treatment, 3 wk of treatment were required to remove all nits from those infected. Recommendations are made with regard to prevention of such infections during space missions. Treatment altered performance and comfort of crews, took time out of other duties, and even affected relations between crewmembers. The case is made for the development of a public health agenda in space research and medical space programs. ( info) |
4/39. Phthiriasis palpebrarum: an unusual blepharoconjunctivitis. Phthiriasis palpebrarum is an unusual cause of blepharoconjunctivitis and may easily be overlooked because of the failure of physicians to recognize phthirus pubis. We report a case of a 30-year-old woman with persistent itching in the left eyelid which was unsuccessfully treated under the diagnosis of allergic blepharoconjunctivitis. Careful ophthalmic examination revealed seven bugs with multiple red pinpoint excretions and numerous small translucent oval eggs (nits) coating the eyelashes. The patient was successfully treated with mechanical removal of all the lice and nits from the eyelashes. The specimen proved histopathologically to be the phthirus pubis infestation. The phthirus pubis infestation is usually associated with poor hygiene in overcrowded or undeveloped country. However, it may become a notable problem because of frequent traveling and commercial activities across the different countries. ( info) |
5/39. A four years old girl with phthiriasis pubis infestation. A four years old girl had phthirus pubis infestation in the scalp, eyelids, eyelashes, neck and shoulders. She had fever, severe itching, allergic reaction and anxiety. The girl was successfully treated with 2.5% permethrin cream. The risk of lice infestation as a community health problem was discussed. ( info) |
6/39. phthirus pubis infestation of the eyelashes and scalp hairs in a girl. A 4-year-old girl was seen because of foreign bodies on the eyelashes. parasites and their nits were seen on the patient's eyelashes and scalp. Her parents denied having phthirus pubis infection of the axillary, pubic, or body hair, despite confirmation of the infestation in their child. The parasites were removed and the lashes with nits were cut off at the base. The parasite was identified as P. pubis. The scalp was washed with phenothrin shampoo. One month later no P. pubis infestation was found. Removal of the parasites, cutting the lashes at the base, and using phenothrin shampoo on the scalp were effective in resolving phthiriasis. ( info) |
7/39. Mechanical treatment of phthiriasis palpebrarum. Phthiriasis palpebrarum is a rare disease in which crab lice infest the eyelashes. It can cause pruritic lid margins or unusual blepharoconjunctivitis and is difficult to diagnose and treat. We diagnosed and managed a case of phthiriasis palpebrarum in both upper eyelids, accompanied by nits, on the scalp of a 6 year-old female child. We removed the eyelashes, including lice and nits, by pulling with fine forceps without sedation. On the second month after treatment, all lice and nits were eradicated without recurrence and the eyelashes grew back. In conclusion, phthiriasis palpebrarum can be diagnosed by close examination of the eyelashes and eyelid margins with slit lamp and can be managed mechanically. ( info) |
8/39. Postmarketing surveillance study of permethrin creme rinse. BACKGROUND. An observational, epidemiological study was undertaken to evaluate the safety of permethrin 1% creme rinse (Nix) for treatment of head lice infestations. methods. Thirty-seven local public health departments enrolled a total of 38,160 patients for 47,578 treatments with permethrin or other pediculicides from September 1, 1986, through January 31, 1988. Follow-up safety information was collected between 7 and 14 days following treatment via return visit or telephone contact. RESULTS. One hundred three adverse events were reported among 41,955 evaluable treatments. The rates of reported adverse events were 2.2 per 1000 treatments among permethrin treatments, 3.4 per 1000 treatments among lindane treatments, and 1.5 per 1000 treatments among other over-the-counter treatments. No serious, unexpected adverse events were detected in the 18,950 patients treated with permethrin. CONCLUSIONS. This study confirmed the safety profile of permethrin in conditions of general use, as seen in clinical trials. Postmarketing safety monitoring in public health departments of drugs used to treat public health conditions was shown to be feasible. ( info) |
9/39. Surrogate nits impregnated with white piedra--a case report. White piedral spores packed inside empty pedicular nits were accidentally found on microscopic examination in a 42-year-old Indian woman who presented with hair loss. The diagnosis of piedra was confirmed on culture. She responded to topical 2% miconazole nitrate solution and manual removal of the nits. This is the first case report of pedicular nits found to be impregnated with spores of white piedra. ( info) |
10/39. Nail infestation by Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel. We report an unusual case of nail infestation by Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel in a 70-year-old woman with onychomycosis. Liposcelis spp., also known as booklouse, are tiny insects that feed on fungi, lichen and decaying materials. In this case, the loosened hyperkeratotic nail provided a favourable environment for these insects. This is the second report of human infestation by Liposcelis spp. ( info) |