Epidemiological aspects of pediculosis by Pediculus humanus capitis (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) in Minas Gerais: a systematic review / Aspectos epidemiológicos da pediculose por Pediculus humanus capitis (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) em Minas Gerais: uma revisão sistemática

Abstract Background Head lice, or head pediculosis, is a parasitosis considered a serious public health problem that affects mainly resource-limited countries. Objective To describe epidemiological aspects of the pediculosis capitis in Minas Gerais, in Brazil. Method This systematic review was conducted through the standards established by the Preferred Reporting Items in Systematic Reviews and Metanalyses (PRISMA). PubMed, LILACS, and SciELO databases, as well as the gray literature, were searched. Results Nine of 1,167 studies were included, published between 1988 and 2019. These studies reported a total prevalence of parasitosis that ranged from 1.4% to 57.4%. The prevalence of head lice ranged from 0.0% to 66.7% for males and 2.3% to 57.4% for females, thus being higher in black-skinned people (1.4% to 40.3%). Regarding age, the highest prevalence was 10-12 years old (45.3%). As for the characteristics of the hair, there was a greater infestation in people with long (16.0% to 79.5%), wavy (0.0% to 44.7%), dark (0.0% to 36.6%), with low capillary density (35.4%), and thick hair (39.2%). Conclusion Head pediculosis affects both sexes, different ages, and races, representing an important health problem in Minas Gerais, not only due to the presence of ectoparasite but also to the secondary complications that can be generated from this parasitism.

Resumo Introdução A pediculose de cabeça é uma parasitose considerada um sério problema de saúde pública, afetando principalmente países com recursos limitados. Objetivo Descrever os aspectos epidemiológicos da pediculose de cabeça em Minas Gerais, Brasil. Método Revisão sistemática conduzida por meio dos padrões estabelecidos pelo Preferred Reporting Items in Systematic Reviews and Metanalyses (PRISMA). Foram pesquisadas as bases de dados PubMed, LILACS e SciELO, bem como a literatura cinza. Resultados Nove de 1.167 estudos foram incluídos, publicados entre 1988 e 2019. Relatou-se uma prevalência total da parasitose que variou de 1,4% a 57,4%. Ela variou de 0,0% a 66,7% para homens e 2,3% a 57,4% para mulheres, sendo maior em pessoas de cor negra (1,4% a 40,3%). Em relação à idade, a maior prevalência foi de 10 a 12 anos (45,3%). Quanto às características dos cabelos, houve maior infestação em pessoas com cabelos longos (16,0% a 79,5%), ondulados (0,0% a 44,7%), escuros (0,0% a 36,6%), com baixa densidade capilar (35,4%) e fios grossos (39,2%). Conclusão A pediculose atinge ambos os sexos, diferentes idades e raças, representando um importante problema de saúde em Minas Gerais, não só pela presença do ectoparasita, mas também pelas complicações secundárias que podem ser geradas desse parasitismo.

Prevalence of tungiasis in humans in Brazil and in its federative units: a systematic review

Tungiasis is a neglected parasitic disease caused by penetration of female Tunga penetrans under the skin, causing important health outcomes in humans. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of tungiasis in Brazil and in its federative units. In November 2019, an investigation was carried out to find studies published from 1980 onwards in MEDLINE, LILACS, Cochrane, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science and Embase databases, and in the gray literature, using descriptors related to the prevalence of tungiasis caused by T. penetrans in Brazil. Of the 542 studies found, only 16 published between 2002 and 2010 met the eligibility criteria to be included in this systematic review. Of the 16 selected publications, 14 addressed the prevalence of tungiasis in communities in the Northeast region of the country, one in the South and one in the Southeast. The general prevalence of the parasitosis in the studies ranged from 1.6% to 54.8%, predominantly in the five to nine age group. Eight studies considered the prevalence by gender, ranging from 2.2% to 62.2% for females and 1.1% to 62.5% for males. This systematic review presents an unprecedented survey of the prevalence of tungiasis, a parasitic disease whose dissemination is facilitated by several factors, occuring mainly in low-income communities. Considering the regionalization of the findings, the scarcity of publications, as well as disease neglect, more studies are required.