Pediculosis Affects Mexican Children from Different Socioeconomic Status Equally: A Cross-Sectional Study

Sánchez‐Casas, Rosa; Fernández‐Salas, Ildefonso; Laguna-Aguilar, Maricela; Rodríguez‐Rojas, Jorge J.; Medina-Ponce, Marcia L; Díaz-González, Esteban E.

doi:10.1093/tropej/fmaa041

Cited by 3 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Our present and previous studies revealed a frequent occurrence of pediculosis capitis, as cases of infestation were noted in 87.5% of the surveyed schools. Similar to other studies of this type, the present observations indicate a higher prevalence of head lice in girls, although the relationship between P. humanus infestation and the sex of the children turned out to be statistically insignificant [29,32,33]. In the present study, the highest prevalence of infestation (68.0%) was found in the group of the early-school aged children (6-9 years).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

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Head Lice Infestation in Schoolchildren, in Poland—Is There a Chance for Change?

Bartosik

Janczaruk

Zając

et al. 2022

JCM

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Pediculosis capitis is a current and neglected health issue worldwide. The lack of screening programs contributes to the marginalization of the problem and delays therapeutic measures. Our study aimed to analyze the occurrence of this parasitosis in primary schools in Poland and to determine factors contributing to the persistence of its foci. The research tools were two questionnaires: one for primary school children and the other for school managers. While children answered questions about the epidemiology of pediculosis capitis and expressed their opinion on the hygienic condition of infested persons, the school directors were asked about the occurrence of head lice in schools, preventive measures, and institutions supporting schools in combating the infestation. The survey covered the period 2014–2018. Pediculosis capitis was reported in 87.5% of the schools. The greatest number of cases was reported in the group of 6–9 year-olds (68%). Among 4970 children, 16.7% had no knowledge of head lice; however, 57.1% wanted to increase their awareness of the problem. Campaigns on lice were conducted mainly as a result of emerging pediculosis capitis cases, and most schools could not rely on institutional support. Screening programs and preventive educational campaigns should be part of pediculosis capitis control in Poland.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…Human lice (both genera Pediculus and Pthirus) seem to represent the oldest permanent ectoparasites of Homo sapiens [26,27]. Despite the progress in medical science and development of the civilization, pediculosis capitis is still an important health issue worldwide [1,28,29]. A large variation in the global spread of head lice is observed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Head Lice Infestation in Schoolchildren, in Poland—Is There a Chance for Change?

Bartosik

Janczaruk

Zając

et al. 2022

JCM

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“…A recent meta-analysis showed that the prevalence of pediculosis among boys was lower compared to girls (7% and 19%, respectively). This may be due in large part to the presence of long hair, a risk factor that has been shown in previous studies (Ortega-Marin et al, 2013;Hatam-Nahavandi et al, 2020;Sánchez-Casas et al, 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 67%

“…In Mexico, pediculosis has been shown that it affects up to 60% of school children, with an average prevalence that goes from 15% to 30% (Hatam‐Nahavandi et al, 2020; Sánchez‐Casas et al, 2021). However, in the present study, the overall prevalence of head lice was slightly lower (12.36%).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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First exploratory study of bacterial pathogens and endosymbionts in head lice from a Mayan community in southern Mexico

Dzul-Rosado

Maldonado-Borges

Puerto

et al. 2022

Zoonoses and Public Health

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Lice represent one of the most neglected group of vectors worldwide, particularly in Latin America. Records of bacterial agents related to head lice are non‐existent in this region of the continent. Many of these communities often do not have adequate access to public services and/or health protection. The normalization of this condition prevents them from manifesting discomfort, such as bites and itching, which further aggravates the situation, as they can be vectors of important diseases. For this reason, the aim of this work was to identify the richness of bacterial pathogens (Acinetobacter, Bartonella, and Rickettsia) and endosymbionts (Wolbachia) in head lice of paediatric patients from the indigenous municipality of Hoctun, Yucatan, Mexico. DNA extraction was performed using the QIAamp DNA Mini Kit. For the detection of bacterial pathogens, fragments of the gltA, rpoB, and 16S rDNA genes were amplified. For the detection of Wolbachia, the wsp gene was amplified. Of the 28 lice analysed, the presence of two genera of bacterial pathogens was detected Acinetobacter (42.9% = 12/28) and Bartonella (7.14% = 2/28). We also detected the endosymbiont Wolbachia (71.42% = 20/28). Our results showed that DNA from three bacteria species (Acinetobacter baumannii, Bartonella quintana, and Wolbachia pipientis) was present with frequencies ranging from 3.57% to 71.42%. This work represents the first exploratory study of the diversity of agents associated with head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) in Mexico and Latin America. Due to the findings generated in the present study, it is important to perform surveillance of head lice populations to identify the degree of spread of these pathogens and their impact on populations in the region.

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Pediculosis capitis and scabies in nurses from Eastern Poland – occupational risk and environmental determinants

Bartosik¹,

Kulbaka²,

Buczek³

et al. 2023

Ann Agric Environ Med.

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Introduction and Objective.Nurses are a group of healthcare professionals particularly vulnerable to infestations by Pediculus humanus capitis and Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis contracted from patients under their medical care. Materials and method. The cross-sectional study included 322 professionally active nurses within public healthcare units in eastern Poland. The research tool was a questionnaire collecting anonymized data on the occurrence of pediculosis capitis and scabies in nurses, and their patients, concerning the environmental determinants in the period 2001-2013. The study was retrospective and participation of nurses was voluntary. Results. The obtained results indicated that 24.8% and 9.9% of the 322 respondents were infested by head lice and scabies mites, respectively. During their professional work, most nurses contracted head lice once (76.2%) while others (23.8%) were infested twice or more. The respondents did not declare repeated occupational scabies. The risk of contracting pediculosis capitis and scabies was not related to the length of service, but increased with the rise in the number of patients provided with nursing care. In the head lice-infested patients, the majority were aged 6-10 years (31.3%), while in the case of scabietic patients, children aged 0-5 years prevailed (26.4%). Conclusions. In medical care facilities, regular hygienic checks of both patients and medical staff, covering the condition of the skin and scalp, should be mandatory. The spread of pediculosis capitis and scabies among nurses can be reduced by the implementation not only of protective procedures mitigating occupational risk, but also the improvement of working conditions in medical facilities.

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Pediculosis Affects Mexican Children from Different Socioeconomic Status Equally: A Cross-Sectional Study

Cited by 3 publications

References 5 publications

Head Lice Infestation in Schoolchildren, in Poland—Is There a Chance for Change?

Head Lice Infestation in Schoolchildren, in Poland—Is There a Chance for Change?

First exploratory study of bacterial pathogens and endosymbionts in head lice from a Mayan community in southern Mexico

Pediculosis capitis and scabies in nurses from Eastern Poland – occupational risk and environmental determinants

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