Lifestyle Recommendations for Management of Pediculosis from the Viewpoint of Persian Medicine

Introduction: Pediculosis Capitis (head lice infestation) is the most common disease of the bloodsucking insect which affects approximately six to twenty million cases and results considerable economic burden annually. In this study we aim to investigate some medieval Persian views on the role of non-pharmacological treatment strategies for prevention and control of pediculosis and compare their prescriptions with current findings. Materials and methods: In this qualitative study, we reviewed some well-known Persian medicine (PM) textbooks based on the selected keywords (Shepesh, Reshk, Ghamal and Seyban) to collect the viewpoint of PM scholars for pediculosis and its treatments. Also, we searched in the databases such as PubMed, Science direct and Scopus about the topic. Results: Persian medicine scientists believed that there are six essential health principles (SetteZaroorieh), which can affect human health and prevent diseases including air, nutrition, exercise, sleep and wakefulness, exertion of unnecessary materials from the body and finally psychological concepts. Proper management of these essential factors can improve lifestyle of people affected with pediculosis and also play a key role in prevention of head lice infestation. Conclusion: There are several suitable recommendations for prevention and control of pediculosis according to essential health principles in PM which can consider beside current drug treatments and the individual health recommendations for complete control of the disease

Efecto pediculicida de una formulación en base a Eucaliptus globulus L / Pediculicide effect of a Eucaliptus globulus L formulation

Introduction: Pediculosis capitis is a public health problem with a high prevalence. The emergence of parasite resistance to conventional pediculicide is of great concern worldwide. Objective: To develop alternatives pediculicide, effective and safe, based on the essential oil of Eucaliptus globulus. Method: Through bioassays active concentrations ranges of the essential oil were established, and proceeded to develop a standardized, stable, pharmaceutical form, evaluating its effects on our population. Results: The results showed 100% effectiveness; short time of death, ovicidal action, activity on the adhesion of the egg, and low toxicity. Discussion: In addition to great effect, the inability of the parasite to become resistant to the chemical composition of the essential oil makes this formulation an alternative to the problem of head lice solution.

Introducción: La pediculosis capitis es un problema de salud pública con una alta prevalencia. La aparición de resistencia del parásito a los pediculicidas convencionales es de gran preocupación a nivel mundial. Objetivo: Desarrollar alternativas pediculicidas, efectivas y seguras, en base al aceite esencial de Eucaliptus globulus. Método: A través de bioensayos se establecieron rangos de concentraciones activas del aceite esencial, y se procedió al desarrollo de una forma farmacéutica, estandarizada, estable, evaluando sus efectos en nuestra población. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron 100% de efectividad; corto tiempo de muerte, acción ovicida, actividad sobre la adherencia del huevo, y baja toxicidad. Discusión: Además de la gran efectividad, la imposibilidad del parásito de adquirir resistencia a la composición química del aceite esencial hace de esta formulación una solución alternativa al problema de la pediculosis.

Serie parasitosis en dermatología: pediculosis / Parasitosis in dermatology: pediculosis

La enfermedad producida por Pediculus humanus capitis, conocida como pediculosis, es una parasitosis específica del ser humano de distribución mundial. El contagio puede ser directo por contacto con el cuero cabelludo de una persona afectada, o por fómites contaminados con parásitos, por lo que no distingue raza, sexo, edad ni nivel socioeconómico. Presentamos el caso de una paciente de 80 años con una forma típica de pediculosis. (AU)

The disease caused by Pediculus humanus capitis, known as pediculosis, is a human specific parasitosis. It has a worldwide distribution. Transmission can be by direct contact with the scalp of an affected person or by contaminated fomites with parasites. This infestation makes no distinction of race, sex, age, or socioeconomic status. We present a case of an 80 years old patient with a typical case of pediculosis. (AU)

Comparison of 1% permethrin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and crotamiton in the treatment of pediculosis capitis

To compare the efficacy of three different treatments for pediculosis capitis. This prospective study was carried out at Jordanian Military Field Hospital, Gaza from August 2012 to October 2012. A total of 60 patients were included in this study. Pediculosis capitis was diagnosed by direct examination of scalp and hair and was confirmed by direct light microscopic examination. Patients were divided into three equal groups: The first group received 1% permethrin cream, the second group received only oral Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and the third group received crotamiton lotion. To assess cure rate we followed these patients up to two and four weeks after completing their treatment. Absence of adults' lice and nits was considered a cure. The group which received 1% permethrin cream showed the highest cure rate, while those who received oral Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole showed the lowest cure rate. 1 % permethrin cream rinse was the best treatment to head lice and oral TM-SMX therapy did not give desirable results

Anti-head lice effect of Annona squamosa seeds.

The present study focused on the separation and identification of the active compounds against head lice from the hexane extract of Annona squamosa L seed. Chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques revealed that two major compounds of the hexane seed extract were oleic acid and triglyceride with one oleate ester. The yields of these compounds were 13.25% and 7.74% dry weight, respectively. The compounds were tested in vitro against head lice, comparing to the crude hexane extract of the seed. The triglyceride with one oleate ester and the crude hexane extract diluted with coconut oil 1:1. These compounds were found to kill all tested head lice in 49, 11 and 30 minutes, respectively. The triglyceride ester can be used as a marker for quantitative analysis of the active compound for quality control of the raw material A. squamosa seed and its extract. This first finding will be useful for quality assessment and the chemical stability of the antihead lice preparation from this plant.

Embryonic development of human lice: rearing conditions and susceptibility to spinosad

The embryonic development of human lice was evaluated according to the changes in the morphology of the embryo observed through the transparent chorion. Based on ocular and appendage development, three stages of embryogenesis were established: early, medium, and late. Influence of temperature and relative humidity (RH) on the laboratory rearing of Pediculus humanus capitis eggs was assessed. The optimal ranges for temperature and RH were 27-31°C and 45-75%. The susceptibility of human louse eggs to insecticide spinosad (a macrocyclic lactone) was assessed by immersion method. The results showed similar susceptibility to spinosad in early, medium, and late stages of head lice eggs. In addition, this study showed similar susceptibility of head and body lice eggs to spinosad, an insecticide that has not been used as pediculicide in Argentina (lethal concentration 50: 0.01%).

The fumigant and repellent activity of aliphatic lactones against Pediculus humanus capitis (Anoplura: Pediculidae)

New alternative insecticides are necessary for the chemical control of head lice. In this study the fumigant knockdown time 50 percent (KT50) and repellency index (RI) of three aliphatic lactones was compared with two essential oils and DDVP, against permethrin-resistance Pediculus humanus capitis from Argentina. In the fumigant assay, none of the lactones were effective compared to the highest activity of eucalyptus (KT50 15.53 m). In the repellency test, the three lactones were equally or more effective (RI ranging from 60.50 to 76.68) than the positive control (piperonal). These lactones are promising as head lice repellents.

Anti-headlice activity of a preparation of Annona squamosa seed extract.

Various parts of Annona squamosa Linn. (custard apple) have long been used in Thai folk medicine. The effectiveness of organic solvent extracts of custard apple seeds and leaves against headlice has been reported. The present study is focused on the efficacy and stability of seed extract prepared as a cream. A petroleum ether extract of seeds was prepared as a 20% w/w oil in water cream and tested for anti-headlice activity in school girls. After a 3 hour-hair exposure to 20 g of freshly prepared custard apple cream, 95.34+/-1.96% of headlice were killed. This killing rate was higher than that obtaned from the control (cream base) or the standard drug (25% benzyl benzoate emulsion). The anti-headlice efficacy of the 6 and 12 month-storage preparations kept in a refrigerator and 12 month-storage at room temperature were 99.19+/-0.60%, 97.55+/-2.06% and 89.47+/-3.64%, respectively, which were not significantly different from that of the freshly prepared cream. This cream did not cause any irritant effect on the scalp or neck skin while benzyl benzoate emulsion produced burning sensation or redness. The results demonstrate that the petroleum ether extract of Annona squamosa seeds prepared as a cream is stable for at least 12 months. The custard apple cream may be, therefore, suitable for use as an alternative therapy against headlice.

Deltametrina, novo derivado piretróide, como pediculicida / Deltamethrin, a new pyrethroid derivate, as pediculicide

Foram tratados 38 pacientes com pediculose do couro cabeludo com aplicaçäo de Deltametrina, sob formas de loçäo e shampoo, durante dois dias, com repetiçäo do tratamento uma semana após. Registrou-se eliminaçäo dos parasitas em 35 casos. Um continuava infestado no dia do controle e dois abandonaram o tratamento, por motivos ignorados. Näo foram observados efeitos colaterais