Phthiraptera Medical and Urban Entomology

by

JOHARI JALINAS Centre for Insects Systematic, FST UKM

Presentation Outlines
Introduction to Phthiraptera (Characteristics and important Family) Life Cycle and Distribution Diseases Control and Prevention Treatments References

Phthiraptera
The name Phthiraptera is derived from the Greek "phthir" meaning lice (louse) and "aptera" meaning wingless. 3500 described species, 20-30 species are major economic importance.

Phthiraptera
2 Suborder a. Chewing lice- Mallophaga (New systematic: Amblycera and Ischnocera) b. Sucking lice- Anoplura

Characteristics
Wingless (apterous) ectoparasites Small - 0.5-8mm Hemimetabolous (having a simple metamorphosis). Three nymphal instars Mouthparts - mandibles for chewing lice, stylets for sucking lice Tarsi 1 or 2 segmented (1 in Anoplurans)

Characteristics
Dorsoventrally flattened head Development of operculum in egg Reduced labial palps Reduced compound eyes and no ocelli Antennae - 3 to 5 segmented and capitate

Major Families:
1.) Pediculidae (Body Lice) -- includes the human body louse (Pediculus humanus humanus) and the human head louse (P. humanus capitis). 2.) Pthiridae (Pubic Lice) -- includes Pthirus pubis, the human pubic (or crab) louse. 3.) Philopteridae (Bird Lice) -- a large family (500 species) containing several species that are pests of poultry.

Major Families:
4) Trichodectidae (Mammal Chewing Lice) -ectoparasites of mammals, including pests of domestic cattle and sheep (e.g., Bovicola bovis). 5.) Menoponidae (Poultry Lice) -- includes several important pests of poultry (e.g., Menopon gallinae and Menacanthus stramineus). 6.) Haematopinidae (Ungulate Lice) ectoparasites of cattle, deer, pigs, horses, and zebras (e.g., the hog louse, Haematopinus suis).

Life Cycle
Short lives of 2-8 weeks depending on the species. The female lays up to 9 eggs per day on the hair or feathers of the host . The nymphs resemble adults and develop through 3 instars before they reach sexual maturity.

Head Louse (Pediculus humanus capitis)

Body Louse (Pediculus humanus humanus)

Pubic Louse (Pthirus pubis)

Life Cycle- Head lice

Life Cycle- Body Lice

Life Cycle- Pubic Lice

Vector

Disease

Causative Agents

Infestation

Head Louse (Pediculus humanus capitis)

Body Louse (Pediculus humanus humanus)

epidemic or louse-borne typhus.

Itchy scalp, often secondarily infection: lession 1) epidemic typhus, 2) louse-borne relapsing fever 3) trench fever.

R. prowazekii

Human- (refugees, prisoners of war, concentration camp detainees, and others in poor socio-economic or stressful situations)
infest people such as refugees, prisoners of war, concentration camp detainees, vagrants, and other individuals with poor hygiene

1) R. Prowazekii 2) spirochete Borrelia recurrentis 3) Bartonella quintana-old name: Rickettsia quintana ( none

Pubic Louse (Pthirus

psychological distress

Infestations result primarily through sexual contact with infested

Insects

Control and Prevention

controlled using any of various chemical (pesticide) treatments, and through the use of louse (nit) combs. Permethrin-based shampoo is a safe and effective choice for controlling head lice
Washing clothing and bedding materials in hot water with detergent, and rigorous personal hygiene can control body lice infestations

Head Louse (Pediculus humanus capitis)

Body Louse (Pediculus humanus humanus) Pubic Louse (Pthirus pubis)

controlled with any of a variety of chemical (pesticide) treatments. Permethrin-based topical ointments represent a safe and effective means for controlling pubic lice. In addition, clothing and bedding materials of infested individuals can be washed in hot water with detergent

Typhus
Disease Causative agents

Vectors

Typhus Rickettsia, Rickettsia prowazekii Pediculus humanus (Louse)

Typhus fever

Mode of Transmission: Infected lice excrete rickettsial organisms in their feces while feeding. Humans become infected by rubbing or scratching lice into superficial abrasions on the skin Symptoms: high fever for about 2 weeks accompanied by headache, chills, a dark-red rash of elevated spots several days after the initial infection , brochial disturbance, and mental confusion.

Trench fever
Disease Trench fever Bartonella quintana (older names: Rochalimea quintana, Rickettsia quintana) body louse (Pediculus humanus corporis)

Causative agents

Vectors

At least 1 million cases during WW I

Trench fever

Secondary Infection

Relapsing Fever
Disease
Causative agents Vectors

Relapsing Fever
spirochete Borrelia recurrentis Body Louse (Pediculus humanus humanus)

Relapsing Fever
Mode of Transmission: Humans become infected by rubbing or scratching lice into superficial abrasions on the skin, through the conjuctivae when people rub their eyes, and mouth. Symptoms: High fever, headche, prostation, myalgias, gastrointestinal manifestation

Treatments and Control

Diseases Typhus
Trench Fever

Treatments Doxycycline, chloramphenicol

Doxycycline, chloramphenicol, Gentamicin + Doxycyline

Relapsing Fever Tetracyline and Doxycline Patients need to be disinfected by the use of insecticidal dusts or sprays and laundering of clothing and bed covers.

Control and Treatments

Picture of a lice comb in use. The small dark spots in the foam are lice. * Personal hygiene Do not share caps or combs

http://www.lice-control.com/store.htm

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