INFLUENCE OF GROOMING ON PERMANENT ARTHROPOD ASSOCIATES OF BIRDS: CATTLE EGRETS, LICE, AND MITES.

Birds have a diverse community of "permanent" arthropods that complete their entire life cycle on the body of the host. Because some of these arthropods are parasites that reduce host fitness, birds control them by grooming, which consists of preening with the beak and scratching with the feet. Although preening is the primary component of grooming, scratching is essential for controlling arthropods on the head and neck, which cannot be preened. Several unrelated groups of birds have evolved comb-like pectinate claws on the middle toenail of each foot. We tested the role of these claws in the control of arthropods by experimentally removing teeth from the claws of captive western cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis) infested with chewing lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera), feather mites (Acari: Sarcoptiformes), and nasal mites (Acari: Mesostigmata). After a period of 4 mo, we compared the abundance of arthropods on experimental birds to that of control birds with intact teeth. We used video to quantify the grooming rates of the captive birds, which groomed twice as much as wild birds. Experimental and control birds did not differ significantly in grooming time. Both groups virtually eradicated the chewing lice, but not feather mites or nasal mites. We found no support for the hypothesis that pectinate claws increase the efficiency of arthropod control by grooming. Experiments with wild birds are needed to test the hypothesis further under conditions in which birds devote less time to grooming.

Chewing lice of Bearded Reedling (Panurus biarmicus) and diversity of louse-host associations of birds in reed beds in Slovakia.

A total of 1,621 wild birds representing 34 species were examined for chewing lice in reed beds in southwestern Slovakia during the pre-breeding migration 2008-2009 and 2016-2019. A total of 377 (23.3%) birds representing 15 species were parasitized by 26 species of chewing lice of 12 genera. Dominant genera were Penenirmus (with dominance 32.6%) and Menacanthus (29.4%), followed by Brueelia (12.6%), Acronirmus (10.8%), Philopterus (7.7%), and Myrsidea (4.2%). We evaluated 33 host-louse associations including both 1) host-generalist, parasitizing more than one host species and host-specific lice, occurring only on a single host species, and 2) lice species with large range geographic distribution, reported across the range of the distribution of their hosts and lice species with only occasional records from a limited area within the range of their hosts. The Bearded Reedling, Panurus biarmicus (Linnaeus, 1758), was parasitized by two species of chewing lice, Menacanthus brelihi Balát, 1981 and Penenirmus visendus (Zlotorzycka, 1964), with conspicuously different prevalences (5.6% vs. 58.2%, respectively; n = 251). New material enabled us to redescribe both species of lice: the first one is resurrected from previous synonymy as a valid species. A fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene was sequenced from these two species in order to assess their relative phylogenetic position within their genera. Our study demonstrates the importance of an adequate identification of parasites, especially on rarely examined and endangered hosts.

Title: Mallophages de la Panure à moustaches (Panurus biarmicus) et diversité des associations mallophages-hôtes des oiseaux dans les roselières en Slovaquie. Abstract: Au total, 1 621 oiseaux sauvages représentant 34 espèces ont été examinés à la recherche de mallophages dans les roselières du sud-ouest de la Slovaquie au cours de la migration de pré-reproduction 2008­2009 et 2016­2019. Parmi ceux-ci, 377 oiseaux (23,3 %), représentant 15 espèces, étaient parasités par 26 espèces de mallophages de 12 genres. Les genres dominants étaient Penenirmus (avec une dominance de 32,6 %) et Menacanthus (29,4 %), suivis de Brueelia (12,6 %), Acronirmus (10,8 %), Philopterus (7,7 %) et Myrsidea (4,2 %). Nous avons évalué 33 associations mallophage-hôte comprenant à la fois 1) des espèces de mallophages généralistes, parasitant plus d'une espèce hôte, et des mallophages spécifiques, présents uniquement sur une seule espèce hôte et 2) des espèces de mallophages ayant une large répartition géographique, signalées à travers l'étendue de la répartition de leurs hôtes, et des espèces de mallophages avec seulement des observations occasionnelles dans une zone limitée à l'intérieur de l'aire de répartition de leurs hôtes. La Panure à moustaches, Panurus biarmicus (Linnaeus, 1758), était parasitée par deux espèces de mallophages, Menacanthus brelihi Balát, 1981 et Penenirmus visendus (Zlotorzycka, 1964), avec des prévalences nettement différentes (respectivement 5,6 % et 58,2 %, n = 251). Du nouveau matériel nous a permis de redécrire les deux espèces de mallophages, la première étant ressuscitée de la synonymie précédente en tant qu'espèce valide. Un fragment du gène mitochondrial de la cytochrome oxydase I a été séquencé à partir de ces deux espèces afin d'évaluer leur position phylogénétique relative au sein de leurs genres. Notre étude démontre l'importance d'une identification adéquate des parasites, en particulier sur les hôtes rarement examinés et menacés.

Pediculosis capitis risk factors in schoolchildren: hair thickness and hair length.

The human head lice is a cosmopolitan ectoparasite that causes pediculosis. The main way of spreading lice is through direct head-to-head contact. It is popular knowledge that some individuals are more susceptible to contracting head lice than others. Reports of individuals who have never been affected by the disease are common, even living in the same environment and under the same conditions as people who regularly have lice infestations. Previous research has been carried out on the risk of this infection associated with different human factors like gender or age. However, studies on the influence of the individual hair characteristics are scarce. The objective of the study was to analyze the pediculosis risk using geographical location, gender, age and individual hair characteristics as variables. Pediculosis was diagnosed through the detection of living lice in the hair. This cross-sectional school-based epidemiological study was conducted in 310 schoolchildren aged 1 to 13 years of schools in 4 municipalities situated in the State of Paraná, Brazil. The prevalence of head louse infection in primary school students was 49.35 %. The Odds Ratio of presence of pediculosis (OR) was estimated using multivariate logistic regression analysis. The results obtained indicate that hair length and thickness increase the risk of infection. Furthermore, the inclusion of hair color, hair shape, kind of hair-scale as covariates increases the risk of pediculosis, indicating that these variables partly explain this susceptibility and that pediculosis is independent of gender. A smaller hair diameter may favor insect fixation to the hair in the nymphal phases. These results may explain why girls are a greater risk as they let their hair grow for cultural reasons, i.e., being of female gender is an agglutinating variable. The conclusions drawn may explain the discrepancies obtained in previous analyses.

Nuclear genetic diversity of head lice sheds light on human dispersal around the world.

The human louse, Pediculus humanus, is an obligate blood-sucking ectoparasite that has coevolved with humans for millennia. Given the intimate relationship between this parasite and the human host, the study of human lice has the potential to shed light on aspects of human evolution that are difficult to interpret using other biological evidence. In this study, we analyzed the genetic variation in 274 human lice from 25 geographic sites around the world by using nuclear microsatellite loci and female-inherited mitochondrial DNA sequences. Nuclear genetic diversity analysis revealed the presence of two distinct genetic clusters I and II, which are subdivided into subclusters: Ia-Ib and IIa-IIb, respectively. Among these samples, we observed the presence of the two most common louse mitochondrial haplogroups: A and B that were found in both nuclear Clusters I and II. Evidence of nuclear admixture was uncommon (12%) and was predominate in the New World potentially mirroring the history of colonization in the Americas. These findings were supported by novel DIYABC simulations that were built using both host and parasite data to define parameters and models suggesting that admixture between cI and cII was very recent. This pattern could also be the result of a reproductive barrier between these two nuclear genetic clusters. In addition to providing new evolutionary knowledge about this human parasite, our study could guide the development of new analyses in other host-parasite systems.

Misleading Presentation of Unilateral Phthiriasis Palpebrarum in a 2-Year-Old Boy.

A 2-year-old boy with recently treated head lice presented with worsening right eyelid pruritus, irritation, and bleeding that was presumed to be a reinfection of head lice. Clinical examination revealed ectoparasites along the superior eyelid margin that were later identified as Phthirus pubis, or pubic lice. Treatment and management strategies are discussed. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2023;60(5):e55-e58.].

PHEROMONE COMMUNICATION IN FEATHER-FEEDING WING LICE (INSECTA: PHTHIRAPTERA).

Pheromone communication is central to the life history of insect parasites. Determining how pheromones affect parasite behavior can provide insights into host-parasite interactions and suggest novel avenues for parasite control. Lice infest thousands of bird and mammal species and feed on the host's feathers or blood. Despite the pervasiveness of lice in wild populations and the costs they exact on livestock and poultry industries, little is known about pheromone communication in this diverse group. Here, we test for pheromone communication in the wing lice (Columbicola columbae) of Rock Doves (Columba livia). Wing lice spend the majority of their lives on bird flight feathers where they hide from host preening by inserting their bodies between coarse feather barbs. To feed, wing lice must migrate to bird body regions where they consume the insulating barbs of contour feathers. We first show that wing lice readily form aggregations on flight feathers. Next, using a Y-tube olfactometer, we demonstrate that wing lice use pheromone communication to move toward groups of nearby conspecifics. This pheromone is likely an aggregation pheromone, as wing lice only produce the pheromone when placed on flight feathers. Finally, we found that when forced to choose between groups of male and female lice, male lice move toward male groups and females toward female groups, suggesting the use of multiple pheromones. Ongoing work aims to determine the chemical identity and function of these pheromones.

Species of Reticulipeurus Kéler, 1958 (Phthiraptera, Ischnocera, Oxylipeurus-complex) parasitic on species of Arborophila, with description of a new subgenus and three new species.

A new subgenus and three new species of parasitic lice (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera) in the Oxylipeurus-complex are described and illustrated. Forcipurellus new subgenus is part of the genus Reticulipeurus Kéler, 1958, and only includes species parasitic on partridges of the genus Arborophila Hodgson, 1837. The new species are: Reticulipeurus (Forcipurellus) diki new species ex Arborophila rubrirostris (Salvadori, 1879); Reticulipeurus (Forcipurellus) bracatus new species ex Arborophila atrogularis (Blyth, 1849); Reticulipeurus (Forcipurellus) longistylus new species ex Arborophila rufogularis guttata Delacour & Jabouille, 1928 and two other host subspecies. In addition, we redescribe the species Reticulipeurus (Forcipurellus) formosanus (Uchida, 1917) ex Arborophila crudigularis (Swinhoe, 1864) and Reticulipeurus (Forcipurellus) nitzschi Kéler, 1958 ex Arborophila torqueola torqueola (Valenciennes, 1825) and Arborophila torqueola millardi (Baker, 1921). Also, we briefly discuss four additional species that could not be described based on the specimens examined. A key to identify all species in the subgenus Forcipurellus is provided, as well as an emendation to include Forcipurellus in a previously published key to the Oxylipeurus-complex.

Effects of selected blood-derived factors on innate immunity in the human body louse.

BACKGROUND: The human body louse (Pediculus humanus humanus) is a host-specific hematophagous ectoparasite that frequently infests populations experiencing a breakdown of hygienic conditions. Body lice are also vectors for several bacterial human pathogens, including Bartonella quintana, the agent of trench fever. However, the factors that influence immunity and infection in body lice are poorly understood. Human infection with B. quintana is associated with alcoholism and homelessness and can coincide with elevated circulating levels of the cytokine IL-10 and the inflammatory marker neopterin. Hematophagous arthropods are capable of responding physiologically and immunologically to a variety of biomolecules present in the blood of their hosts. Therefore, we sought to investigate whether ingestion of alcohol, its metabolic product acetaldehyde, IL-10 or neopterin could affect innate immunity and infection in the body louse. METHODS: Groups of lice were provisioned multiple blood meals containing physiological concentrations of alcohol, acetaldehyde, IL-10 or neopterin, and expression of six previously identified immunity-related genes (Defensin 1, Defensin 2, Prophenoloxidase, Hemocytin, Noduler and Dual Oxidase) was examined by qRT-PCR. RESULTS: Alcohol, acetaldehyde and IL-10 had no significant effects on gene expression relative to blood-fed controls while ingestion of neopterin significantly downregulated expression of Defensin 1 and Defensin 2. Nonetheless, ingestion of neopterin concurrent with B. quintana had no significant effect on the load of infection, indicating that neopterin-induced repression of Defensin expression is insufficient to reduce resistance to the pathogen. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that the immune system of body lice can be affected by factors present in the blood of their human hosts and suggest potential conservation of the function of some immune molecules from human host to ectoparasite. Further, the discord between the effects of neopterin on immunity-related gene expression and B. quintana load highlights the complexity of the regulation of pathogen infection in the louse vector.

Detailed morphological structure and phylogenetic relationships of Degeeriella punctifer (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae), a parasite of the bearded vulture Gypaetus barbatus (Accipitriformes: Accipitridae).

Habitat loss is one of the main threats to species survival and, in the case of parasites, it is their hosts that provide their habitat. Therefore, extinction even at local scale of host taxa also implies the extinction of their parasites in a process known as co-extinction. This is the case of the bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), which almost became extinct at the beginning of the twentieth century. After several attempts, this species was successfully reintroduced into the Alps at the end of the twentieth century. We collected 25 lice specimens from an electrocuted bearded vulture from Susa (Italian Alps) that were morphologically identified as Degeeriella punctifer. Six individuals were studied by scanning electron microscopy, with particular emphasis on their cephalic sensorial structures, while four further specimens were characterized at molecular level by amplifying partial regions of the 12SrRNA, COX1 and elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1) genes. From a morphological perspective, the number, type and arrangement of the sensillae on the two distal antennal segments is quite similar to that of other species of the family Philopteridae (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera). The mandibles and tarsal claws allow lice to cling firmly to their host's feathers. Phylogenetic analyses help unravel the paraphyletic nature of the genus Degeeriella and demonstrate the clear differentiation between lice parasitizing Accipitriformes and Falconiformes, as well as the close relationship between D. punctifer, D. fulva, D. nisus and Capraiella sp. that, along with other genera, parasitize rollers (Aves: Coraciiformes).

Review of the chewing louse fauna of the invasive common myna (Acridotheres tristis), with new records from Palestine and a redescription of Brueelia chayanh Ansari, 1955 (Phthiraptera, Ischnocera, Brueelia-complex).

Palestine hosts a large diversity of birds, with 393 recorded species, but little data are available on the chewing lice fauna found on these birds. In this study, we surveyed the species of chewing lice found on the common myna, Acridotheres tristis, which is one of the most invasive bird species in the world. Forty-five mynas were examined to collect their ectoparasites, which were preserved and slide mounted. Among the 1004 chewing lice processed, we identified two species: Menacanthus eurysternus (Burmeister, 1838) (prevalence 100%) and Brueelia chayanh Ansari, 1955 (prevalence 82.2%). No other species of chewing louse known from A. tristis in its native range was found, showing a possible sorting event in the founding population of common myna in the region. Prevalence (100%) and abundance (22.3) were high compared to similar studies of the common myna. To contribute to future research on the lice of common mynas, we provide an annotated checklist of the louse species reported from this host globally. Also, we redescribe and illustrate Brueelia chayanh, and place Sturnidoecus tristisae Bughio et al., 2018 as a new junior synonym of Sturnidoecus bannoo Ansari, 1968.

Efficacy of a topical formulation containing esafoxolaner, eprinomectin and praziquantel (NexGard Combo®) against natural infestations with the cat louse, Felicola subrostratus under field conditions.

Felicola subrostratus is the only species of louse affecting domestic cats. Although it is considered a rare ectoparasite of pet cats, it occurs mainly in stray or shelter animals and is sometimes associated with intense pruritus and secondary bacterial infections. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of a single dose of the topical formulation of esafoxolaner, eprinomectin and praziquantel (NexGard Combo®, Boehringer Ingelheim) in cats for the treatment of naturally acquired chewing lice infestation in a multi-site, positive-control, blinded clinical field study. Thirty-one domestic cats presenting natural F. subrostratus infestation were included in the study. The animals had not been treated with any ectoparasiticide within the previous 60 days. After inclusion, each cat was randomly assigned to one of the two groups: group 1, 14 cats treated with NexGard Combo® or group 2, 17 cats treated with Frontline Combo®. A clinical evaluation was performed at days 0 (inclusion), 14 and 30 and consisted in scoring the skin lesions and symptoms and scoring the presence of lice. On day 30, all cats from both groups scored 0 for the presence of live lice and no dead lice were found, demonstrating 100% efficacy. The clinical scores significantly improved from day 0 to day 30 in both groups. During the 30 days of surveillance, no reinfestations due to the hatching of eggs were observed and none of the cats had any adverse reactions. Esafoxolaner demonstrated high efficacy for the treatment of F. subrostratus infestation.

Title: Efficacité d'une formulation topique contenant de l'esafoxolaner, de l'éprinomectine et du praziquantel (NexGard Combo®) contre les infestations naturelles par le pou du chat, Felicola subrostratus, dans des conditions de terrain. Abstract: Felicola subrostratus est la seule espèce de pou affectant les chats domestiques. Bien que ce pou soit rare comme ectoparasite chez les chats de compagnie, il infeste principalement les animaux errants ou en refuge et est parfois associé à un prurit intense et à des infections bactériennes secondaires. Le but de la présente étude était d'évaluer l'efficacité d'une dose unique de la formulation topique d'esafoxolaner, d'éprinomectine et de praziquantel (NexGard Combo®, Boehringer Ingelheim) chez le chat pour le traitement de l'infestation naturelle par les poux broyeurs dans une étude de terrain multi-sites, randomisée, avec un contrôle positif. Trente et un chats domestiques présentant une infestation naturelle par F. subrostratus ont été inclus dans l'étude. Les animaux n'avaient été traités avec aucun ectoparasiticide au cours des 60 jours précédents. Après inclusion, chaque chat a été assigné au hasard à l'un des deux groupes : groupe 1, 14 chats traités avec NexGard Combo®, ou groupe 2, 17 chats traités avec Frontline Combo®. Une évaluation clinique a été réalisée aux jours 0 (inclusion), 14 et 30 et a consisté à un score clinique des lésions et symptômes cutanés et à noter la présence de poux. Au jour 30, tous les chats des deux groupes ont obtenu un score de 0 pour la présence de poux vivants et aucun pou mort n'a été trouvé, démontrant une efficacité de 100 %. Les scores cliniques se sont significativement améliorés du jour 0 au jour 30 dans les deux groupes. Au cours des 30 jours de surveillance, aucune réinfestation due à l'éclosion des œufs n'a été observée et aucun des chats n'a présenté d'effet indésirable. L'esafoxolaner a démontré une efficacité élevée pour le traitement de l'infestation par F. subrostratus.

Molecular Identification of Newly Recorded Louse Columbicola tschulyschman Eichler (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae) From Saudi Arabia With a Note on Genus Columbicola spp. Phylogeny.

Chewing lice comprise a large group of ectoparasites that colonize and adversely affect several domestic and wild birds including pigeons. In Saudi Arabia, there is a lack of studies describing such ectoparasites and their infestation rates. Through this work, a new record, Columbicola, tschulyschman Eichler (C. tschulyschman Eichler) was collected from domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica, Linnaeus). The collected C. tschulyschman Eichler was morphologically identified based on specific taxonomic keys. Mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear (EF-1α) gene fragments were used for molecular identification and phylogenetic reconstruction. In this study, the C. tschulyschman Eichler accounted for around 69.40%. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. tschulyschman Eichler in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. To improve the tree topology and differentiate between genera, further studies should utilize the 16s rRNA.

Biophysical properties of human body louse nit related proteins: LNSP1, Agp9 and Agp22.

The human parasitic head and body lice lay their eggs on either hair or clothing. Attachments of the eggs are possible because the female lice secret a glue substance from the accessory gland along with the egg, which hardens into a nit sheath that secures and protects the egg (The "nit" commonly refers to either the louse egg with an embryo or the empty hatched egg). Proteins called the louse nit sheath protein (LNSP) are suggested to be the major proteins of the nit sheath, but transcriptome profiling of the accessory glands indicated other proteins such as Agp9 and Agp22 are also expressed in the glands. In this study, human body louse LNSP1 (partial), Agp9, and Agp22 are recombinantly produced using the E. coli expression system, and the biophysical properties characterized. Circular dichroism analysis indicated that the secondary structure elements of LNSP1 N-terminal and middle-domains, Agp9, and Agp22 are prominently random coiled with up to 10-30% anti-parallel ß-sheet element present. Size-exclusion chromatography profiles of LNSP1 proteins further suggested that the ß-sheets made of the smaller N-terminal domain stacks onto the ß-sheets of the larger middle-domain.

Chewing lice of the Brueelia-complex (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera) parasitic on members of the Campephagidae (Aves: Passeriformes), with description of a new subgenus and 14 new species.

Fourteen new species of chewing lice in the Brueelia-complex are described, from hosts in the Campephagidae. In addition, Malardifax a new subgenus of Guimaraesiella Eichler, 1949 is described for the species occurring on minivets (Campephagidae: Pericrocotus). The new species and their hosts are: Guimaraesiella (Guimaraesiella) nouankaoensis n. sp. from Coracina caledonica seiuncta Mayr Ripley, 1941 and C. caledonica thilenii (Neumann, 1915); Guimaraesiella (Guimaraesiella) sphagmotica n. sp. from Coracina caeruleogrisea strenua (Schlegel, 1871) and C. caeruleogrisea adamsoni Mayr Rand, 1936; Indoceoplanetes (Capnodella) kamphaengphetensis n. sp. from Lalage melaschistos avensis (Blyth, 1852); Indoceoplanetes (Capnodella) saucia n. sp. from Edolisoma montanum montanum (Meyer, 1874); Indoceoplanetes (Capnodella) subarcens n. sp. from Edolisoma melas melas (Lesson, 1828); Indoceoplanetes (Indoceoplanetes) cinitemnina n. sp. from Edolisoma melas melas (Lesson, 1828); Indoceoplanetes (Indoceoplanetes) ephippiformis n. sp. from Edolisoma montanum montanum (Meyer, 1874); Indoceoplanetes (Indoceoplanetes) fodincana n. sp. from Coracina papuensis oriomo Mayr Rand, 1936, C. papuensis angustifrons (Salvadori, 1876), and C. papuensis elegans (Ramsay, 1881); Indoceoplanetes (Indoceoplanetes) incisoma n. sp. from Coracina macei siamensis (Baker, 1918) and C. macei rexpineti (Swinhoe, 1863); Indoceoplanetes (Indoceoplanetes) microgenitalis n. sp. from Coracina caeruleogrisea strenua (Schlegel, 1871); Indoceoplanetes (Indoceoplanetes) pterophora n. sp. from Coracina macei nipalensis (Hodgson, 1836); Indoceoplanetes (Indoceoplanetes) saburrata n. sp. from Coracina lineata ombriosa (Rothschild Hartert, 1905); Indoceoplanetes (Indoceoplanetes) wandoensis n. sp. from Coracina novaehollandiae melanops (Latham, 1802); and Indoceoplanetes (Indoceoplanetes) zambica n. sp. from Coracina pectoralis (Jardine Selby, 1828). Checklists and keys to the louse species of the Brueelia-complex parasitic on campephagid hosts are provided.

Determination of Knockdown Resistance (kdr) Allele Frequencies (T929I mutation) in Head Louse Populations from Mexico, Canada, and Peru.

The head louse Pediculus humanus capitis (De Geer) is a hematophagous ectoparasite that inhabits the human scalp. The infestations are asymptomatic; however, skin irritation from scratching occasionally may cause secondary bacterial infections. The present study determined the presence and frequency of the knockdown resistance (kdr) mutation T929I in 245 head lice collected from Mexico, Peru, and Canada. Head lice were collected manually using a comb in the private head lice control clinic. Allele mutation at T9291 was present in 100% of the total sampled populations (245 lice) examined. In addition, 4.89% of the lice were homozygous susceptible, whereas 6.93% heterozygous and 88.16% homozygous were resistant, respectively. This represents the second report in Mexico and Quebec and fist in Lima.

The Attractivity of the Head Louse, Pediculus humanus capitis (Pediculidae: Anoplura) to Isolated Compounds and Blends of Human Skin.

Human head lice Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) are ectoparasites that cause pediculosis, a global scale disease mainly found in school-age children. Previous works from our laboratory found nonanal, sulcatone, and geranylacetone as the main human scalp volatile components, and individually evaluated their attraction to head lice using an olfactometer. In this work, we compared how their blends at different concentrations attract head lice, and how their blended effect compares to the effect of isolated compounds. At the concentrations evaluated, individual components did not show attraction towards head lice, but a ternary mixture of them was attractive. Moreover, a solvent extract from the human head scalp was analyzed by GC-MS, finding that tetradecanoic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, palmitoleic acid, and squalene are the most abundant components. Attraction to these individual compounds at natural concentrations was tested by bioassays in a circular experimental arena. No attraction was observed when the components were tested individually, but when they were evaluated as a blend they attracted head lice. This work presents new information about how chemical signals are attractive at certain concentrations and proportions. This information could be used to better understand communication mechanisms in head lice and for the development of louse repellents.

One new genus and three new species of the Penenirmus-complex (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera) from China, with resurrection of Picophilopterus Ansari, 1947.

Three new species of chewing lice of the Penenirmus-complex (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera) are described and illustrated from woodpeckers (Picidae) and barbets (Megalaimidae) occurring in China. They are: Picophilopterus blythipici new species from Blythipicus pyrrhotis sinensis (Rickett, 1897), Laimoloima ruiliensis new genus, new species from Psilopogon asiaticus asiaticus (Latham, 1790), and Laimoloima tandani new genus, new species from Psilopogon virens virens (Boddaert, 1783). In addition, we provide illustrations of Picophilopterus pici sensu lato ex Picus canus sordidior (Rippon, 1906), and we present evidence that justifies resurrecting the genus Picophilopterus Ansari, 1947 to include the species infesting woodpeckers and Neotropical barbets (Capitonidae). Also, we erect the new genus Laimoloima to include the species from Asian barbets (Megalaimidae). The taxonomic position of Penenirmus species from African barbets (Lybiidae) and honeyguides (Indicatoridae) is unresolved. An updated checklist of the species in the Penenirmus-complex parasitic on non-passeriform hosts is provided, including species of the genus Turnicola Clay Meinertzhagen, 1938.

Combined treatment modality including topical 20% fluorescein dye in the management of phthiriasis palpebrarum - A case series.

Purpose: To study the clinical presentations and outcomes of phthiriasis palpebrarum (PP) managed with combined treatment modality comprising of 20% fluorescein dye, mechanical removal of the ectoparasites, and topical application of antibiotic eye ointment with paraffin base. Methods: This is a prospective interventional noncomparative hospital-based series of 13 patients of PP. All the patients underwent local application of 20% fluorescein dye over the eyelashes and eyebrows of both the eyes followed by the mechanical removal of all the ectoparasites and trimming of the eyelashes from the base followed by application of ophthalmic ointment. Results: Mean age of the patients was 28 ± 22 years (range 3-60 Years). Out of the total of 13 patients, 11 patients (85%) were having bilateral involvement. The mean duration of symptoms in 11 patients (rest 2 were accidental findings) was 4 ± 3 weeks (range 1-10 weeks). Three patients (23%) had a history of sexual contact with possible parasite-infested partners. Four patients (31%) had additional parasites in the pubic area or torso. All the patients were completely parasite free at the end of 1 month. There was no infestation of the treating medical personnel from the patient. The average follow-up was 8 ± 5 months (range 3-21 months). Conclusion: Itching and irritation of the eyes were the most common presentations of PP. Combined treatment modality comprising of 20% fluorescein dye, mechanical removal of ectoparasites, and topical application of antibiotic eye ointment with paraffin base is effective in the management of PP.