Treatment of head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) infestation: is regular combing alone with a special detection comb effective at all levels?

Head lice infestation (HLI) caused by Pediculus humanus capitis has been a public health problem worldwide. Specially designed combs are used to identify head lice, while anti-lice products are applied on the scalp for treatment. In the present study, we aimed to test whether combing only by precision detection comb (PDC) or metal pin comb (MPC) could be effective alternatives to the use of anti-lice products in children. A total of 560 children from two rural schools in Turkey were screened. In the PDC trial, children were combed every second day for 14 days, while in the MPC trial, combing was performed once in every four days for 15 days. Children were divided into two groups (dry combing and wet combing) for both trials and results were compared. The results showed no significant differences between dry and wet combing strategies for both combs for the removal of head lice (p > 0.05). The number of adult head lice declined significantly on each subsequent combing day in both approaches, except on day 15 in the MPC trial. In the end, no louse was found in 54.1 and 48.9% of children in the PDC and MPC trials, respectively. Since family members of infested children were not available, they were not checked for HLI. Four times combing within 2 weeks with MPC combs was found effective for both treatment of low HLI and prevention of heavy HLI. In conclusion, regular combing by special combs decreases HLI level in children and is safely applicable as long-term treatment.

[Monthly distribution of intestinal parasites detected in a part of western Turkey between May 2009-April 2010-results of acid fast and modified trichrome staining methods]. / Izmir ve Çevresinde Bir Yilda (Mayis 2009-Nisan 2010) Saptanan Bagirsak Parazitlerinin Aylara Göre Dagilimi-Asid Fast ve Modifiye Trichrome Boyama Sonuçlari.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, 5073 fecal specimens and cellophane tapes from patients were examined during the period of May 1, 2009-April 30, 2010 in the parasitology laboratory of the Ege University Medical School. METHODS: Sticky tape test and ethyl acetate sedimentation methods, saline, iodine, modified kinyoun's acid-fast, Trichrome, modified Trichrome and giemsa staining procedures have been applied to the stool samples. RESULTS: After the macroscopic and microscopic examinations, 1138 (22.43%) intestinal parasites were determined. Cryptosporidium spp. (n=381; 33.47%), Blastocystis hominis (n=368; 32.33%) and Cyclospora spp. (n=187; 16.43%) were the three most common parasites obtained during the examination. The most commonly determined helminth was Enterobius vermicularis (n=33; 2.89%). CONCLUSION: Detection of Microsporidium spores in immununosuppressed patients showed also the importance of specific staining methods. Intestinal parasites are causing serious public health problems in our region.