DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Scanning Electron Microscopic Study on the Head Lice Eggs Detected in Korean Children

  • Received : 2014.05.31
  • Accepted : 2014.06.26
  • Published : 2014.06.30

Abstract

Fine structural characteristics of eggs (nits) found on the scalp hairs of Korean children were observed with scanning electron microscopy. An egg is structurally composed of four parts: the cementum, nit body, operculum, and aerophyle. The total length of an egg is about 1.5 mm. The glue secreted from the female louse completely surrounds the 1 mm hair shaft and forms the cementum. The thickness of the cementum at the end of the nit body was found to be more than 5 times the thickness at the end toward the scalp. The nit body is shaped like a goblet with a very smooth surface. The operculum and aerophyles are located at the apiculus area. In the circular operculum, there are 10 aerophyles concentrated on the side of the hair shaft surface that are shaped like a dome. Three aerophyles in the center are surrounded by 7 aerophyles. Each aerophyle is dome shaped with a diameter of $65{\mu}m$ and a respiratory pathway with a $15{\sim}25{\mu}m$ opening at the center. On the cut surface where the operculum is separated as the egg hatches, long grooves about $1{\mu}m$ thick are uniformly formed transversely. These long grooves facilitate the separation of the operculum through body expansion at the time of hatching.

Keywords

References

  1. Arriaza B, Standen V, Nunez H, and Reinhard K (2013) Study of archaeological nits/eggs of Pediculus humanus capitis by scanning electron microscopy. Micron. 45, 145-149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micron.2012.10.018
  2. Burkhart C N and Burkhart C G (2005) Head lice: scientific assessment of the nit sheath with clinical ramifications and therapeutic options. J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 53, 129-133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2005.01.134
  3. Burkhart C N and Burkhart C G (2007) Fomite transmission in head lice. J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 56, 1044-1047. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2006.10.979
  4. Chosidow O (2000) Scobies and pediculosis. Lancet 355, 819-826. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(99)09458-1
  5. Clark J M (2009) Determination, mechanism and monitoring of knockdown resistance in permethrin resistant human head lice. Pediculus humanus capitis. J. Asia-Pacific Entomol. 12, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aspen.2008.10.007
  6. Counahan M, Andrews R, Buttner P, Byrnes G, and Speare R (2004) Head lice prevalence in primary schools in Victoria, Australia. J. Pediatr. Child Health 40, 616-619. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1754.2004.00486.x
  7. Elston D K (2005) Nit picking. J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 53, 164-167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2005.01.135
  8. Gallardo A, Mougabure-Cueto G, Vassena C, Picollo M I, and Tolaza A C (2012) Comparative efficacy of new commercial pediculicides against adults and eggs of Pediculus humanus capitis (head lice). Parasitol. Res. 110, 1601-1606. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-011-2668-x
  9. Hunter J A and Barker S C (2003) Susceptibility of head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) to pediculicides in Australia. Parasitol. Res. 90, 476-478. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-003-0881-y
  10. Ibarra J and Hall D M B (1996) Head lice in schoolchildren. Arch. Dis. Child 75, 471-473. https://doi.org/10.1136/adc.75.6.471
  11. Ko C J and Elston D M (2004) Pediculosis. J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 50, 1-12.
  12. Lee S H, Clark J M, Ahn Y J, Lee W J, Yoon K S, Kwon D H, and Seong K M (2009) Molecular mechanisms and monitoring of permethrin resistance in human head lice. Pestic. Biochem. Physiol. 97, 109-114.
  13. Leung A K C, Fong J H S, and Pinto-Rojas A (2005) Pediculosis capitis. J. Pediatr. Health Care 19, 369-373. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedhc.2005.07.002
  14. Mazurek C M and Lee N P (2000) How to manage head lice. West J. Med. 172, 342-345. https://doi.org/10.1136/ewjm.172.5.342
  15. Mehlhorn H, Abdel-Ghaffar F, Al-Rasheid K A S, Schmidt J, and Semmler M (2011) Ovicidal effects of a need seed extract preparation on eggs of body and head lice. Parasitol. Res. 109, 1299-1302. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-011-2374-8
  16. Oh J M, Lee I Y, Lee W J, Seo M, Park S A, Lee S H, Seo J H, Yong T S, Park S J, Shin M H, Pai K S, Yu J R, and Sim S B (2010) Prevalence of pediculosis capitis among Korean children. Parasitol. Res. 107, 1415-1419. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-010-2016-6
  17. Roberts R J (2002) Head lice. New Engl. J. Med. 346, 1645-1650. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMcp012640
  18. Takano-Lee M, Edman D, Mullens B A, and Clark J M (2005) Transmission potential of the human head louse, Pediculus capitis (Anoplura: Pediculidae). Int. J. Dermatol. 44, 811-816. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-4632.2005.02418.x