[Phthiriasis, the mysterious lousy disease of antiquity. Fact or fiction?]. / Phthiriasis, die geheimnisvolle Läusekrankheit der Antike. Fakt oder Fiktion?

The lousy disease (phthiriasis) and its potentially deadly consequences is well attested from antiquity until the 19th century. Intensely itching, vesicular or tumorous skin lesions defile the body and release swarms of insects spontaneously or after incision. Several well-known persons from antiquity and the early modern period are supposed to have died of the lousy disease. Both classicists and physicians have questioned the credibility of said accounts. By means of our interdisciplinary approach based on an analysis of different descriptions of the lousy disease from antiquity to the 19th century, this paper will present strong arguments for the existence of a potentially lethal form of phthiriasis. In contrast to its name, the lousy disease was most likely caused by a species of mites, similar to the one causing cystic subepidermal tumors in birds.

A short history of sheep scab.

The history of sheep scab is briefly discussed since it was first mentioned in 180 BC. It was probably introduced to South Africa by the early settlers and was mentioned as a problem by Simon van der Stel, although its cause was only discovered in 1809. Various measures taken over the centuries to control or eradicate the disease, which has always been of considerable economic importance, are discussed, as well as the failures and reasons why it is still with us today.

Paleoparasitological analysis of a raptor pellet from southern Patagonia.

Organic remains attributable to one regurgitated pellet were examined. The pellet, belonging to a bird of prey and collected from a cave of Southern Patagonia, was dated at 6,540 +/- 110 yr. With standard paleoparasitological procedures, eggs of Capillaria sp. and a mite, Demodex sp., were found. The parasites found in the pellet belong to a rodent ingested by the bird. The present report constitutes the first paleoparasitological study of a regurgitated pellet.

Parasitological analysis of Leonese royalty from Collegiate-Basilica of St. Isidoro, León (Spain): helminths, protozoa, and mites.

The royal burial chamber of what is today the Collegiate-Basilica of St. Isidoro in León, Spain, built and remodeled between the 10th and 13th centuries and in the 20th century renamed the Kings' Pantheon, has 13 royal tombs that were opened in the presence of the Abbot-Prior of the Collegiate to enable a group of researchers to obtain all possible information from the royal remains. Several samples were sent to the Parasitology Unit of the Animal Pathology (Animal Health) Department at the Veterinary Faculty of León (Spain). In all the tombs, eggs and remains of nonparasitic mites were observed. In a piece of linen cloth from the bottom of 1 tomb, an Anoplocephala perfoliata egg was found. Furthermore, 4 mummified bodies were found. In 2 of these, those belonging to Infantes María and Fernando, Ascaris lumbricoides eggs were found and in the latter Trichuris trichiura eggs. We have not found in the literature reviewed any records of studies of this kind carried out in Spain.

Treatment of psoroptic mange with reference to epidemiology and history.

Treatment methods in the last century involved the use of substances such as sulphur, mercury, hellebore, arsenic, nicotine and others, applied in various ways. The advent of dips in 1843 signalled an advance. However, the biology of the mite, Psoroptes ovis, the epidemiology of sheep scab and the lack of persistence of the acaricides necessitated repeated laborious treatments to ensure success. In 1947 this changed with the use of organo chlorines (OCs) which had up to 3 months residual activity. The use of OCs led to the eradication of psoroptic mange of sheep in USA. Organo phosphates (OPs) were introduced in the late fifties and synthetic pyrethroids (SPs) in the early seventies. In 1985, due to sheep tissue residues, lindane (OC) was withdrawn from the market and this greatly reduced the capacity for effective sheep scab control. Before the arrival of the endectocidal avermectin, ivermectin in 1978 and its successful use as an acaricide in 1992, control of psoroptic mange was limited to plunge dipping. In 1994 moxidectin, a milbemycin, was found to be effective and to have the added benefit of at least 4 weeks persistent activity. Another avermectin doramectin was shown, in 1995, to successfully treat scab and recently an ivermectin bolus has been introduced which has a 100 days' activity and is fully therapeutic and prophylactic. Strict attention to detail in the use of injectable products is essential in order to achieve satisfactory results. Work is progressing on the use insect growth regulators (IGRs) and also on naturally occurring substances such as linalool, neem and lavender oil. At the CVRL Dublin, promising results have been achieved with neem and some IGRs. Other areas of interest are allemones, synergists, microclimate manipulation, sheep breed resistance and vaccines. Successful control depends on epidemiological knowledge, accurate diagnostic techniques, intimate knowledge of the mite's life cycle, its behaviour on and off the host, its macro and molecular biology, the nature of the pathogenesis of the disease, sheep husbandry practices, nutritional and environmental factors; also farmer awareness and attitudes. The variable responses of sheep to the mite, the unpredictable incubation period, course, manifestations and outcome make this an intriguing and perplexing disease. Ways to overcome these problems and to achieve possible eradication are discussed.