Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of 1%Sodium Chloride(LiceFreee Spray)against 1%Permethrin Creme Rinse on Head Lice Infested Individuals

Head lice are a public health issue, and resistance to available over-the-counter pediculicides is a concern. The objective of this randomized study was to evaluate the pediculicidal activity and safety of 1% Sodium Chloride spray (0.1709 M), (LiceFreee Spray&#174) compared to the current recommended treatment for head lice with 1% Permethrin Crème Rinse. Forty-two subjects were randomized equally into Sodium Chloride or Permethrin group. Products were applied to hair according to the label instructions. After application of the products at Day 1 and Day 8, pediculicidal efficacy and safety were assessed at Day 1, Day 8 and Day 15. Second treatment was only applied on Day 8 to individuals with observed live lice using the same products and protocols as Day 1. Proportion of lice free subjects per group, the reduction in number of live lice per head and adverse effects were recorded after each visit. The results showed significantly higher pediculicidal activity for Sodium Chloride spray (85%) as compared to Permethrin (45%) at Day 15 (p 0.05). Similar numbers of lice per head (21.76 range 10 to 68 versus 21.29 range 10 to 60 for Sodium Chloride and Permethrin groups, respectively) were observed for individuals at Day 1. At Day 15, lice per head infested reduced to 0.55 ± 1.50 in Sodium Chloride spray group compared to 5.45 ± 7.91 in the Permethrin group (p 0.01). No serious adverse effects were observed in both groups. Sodium Chloride spray had superior efficacy to 1% Permethrin Crème Rinse in treating head lice and is a safe and excellent alternative to the current recommended treatment.

Deterministic approaches for head lice infestations and treatments

Pediculus humanus capitis are human ectoparasites which cause infestations,mostly in children,worldwide.Understanding the life cycle of head lice is an important step in knowing how to treat lice infestations,as the parasite behavior depends considerably on its age and gender.In this work we propose a mathematical model for head lice population dynamics in hosts who could be or not quarantined and treated.Considering a lice population structured by age and gender we formulate the model as a system of hyperbolic PDEs,which can be reduced to compartmental systems of delay or ordinary differential equations.Besides studying fundamental properties of the model,such as existence,uniqueness and nonnegativity of solutions,we show the existence of(in certain cases multiple)equilibria at which the infestation persists on the host’s head.Aiming to assess the performance of treatments against head lice infestations,by mean of computer experiments and numerical simulations we investigate four possible treatment strategies.Our main results can be summarized as follows:(i)early detection is crucial for quick and efficient eradication of lice infestations;(ii)dimeticone-based products applied every 4 days effectively remove lice in at most three applications even in case of severe infestations and(iii)minimization of the reinfection risk,e.g.by mean of synchronized treatments in families/classrooms is recommended.

积极卫生干预方案对头虱感染患儿的灭虱效果及卫生情况的影响

目的 分析积极卫生干预方案对头虱感染患儿的灭虱效果及卫生情况的影响。方法 选择2022年3—9月来本院皮肤科就诊的头虱感染患儿86例作为研究对象,采用计算机随机数分组法将其分成对照组和干预组,每组43例。其中,对照组采用常规干预方法,干预组接受积极卫生干预方案干预。比较两组患儿在干预后的依从性、灭虱效果及干预前后的卫生情况。结果 干预组患者总依从率高于对照组(P<0.05)。干预组患儿灭虱效果总有效率高于对照组(P<0.05)。干预前,两组患儿卫生习惯评分比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);干预后,干预组患儿卫生习惯规律率高于对照组(P<0.05),不规律率低于对照组(P<0.05)。干预组复发率低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论 积极卫生干预方案能提升头虱感染患儿的灭虱效果,改善患儿的卫生情况,减少感染复发率,值得临床推荐使用。

2017—2018年北京市非常见病媒生物监测分析

目的了解北京市非常见病媒生物臭虫、蜱、跳蚤、头虱、蚂蚁等的为害情况。方法选择北京市16区作为监测点,各区疾控中心病媒专业科所及辖区内PCO负责在各区职责范围内实施监测,形成监测网络,由北京市疾控中心对各监测点数据进行分析、汇总。结果 2017年共监测到各类非常见病媒生物危害31起,集中在6—8月,主要侵害为臭虫和跳蚤,两者合计占74.19%。2018年共监测到各类非常见病媒生物危害9起,集中在5月、6月、8月、11月,主要侵害为跳蚤,占66.67%。结论 2017—2018年北京市臭虫、跳蚤、头虱侵害较多,夏季仍然是非常见病媒生物侵害发生的高发季节,发生场所主要集中在员工宿舍、居民区及幼儿园等人口密集的场所。2018年较2017年非常见病媒生物侵害有明显下降的趋势。

Pediculosis capitis among primary and middle school children in Asadabad,Iran:An epidemiological study

Objective:To investigate the prevalence of head lice in primary and middle school children in Asadabad,Iran.Methods:This study is an analytical descriptive cross-sectional one conducted among primary and middle school children in Asadabad during the academic year of 2013–2014.Data were collected at baseline via questionnaire,checklist and head examination.Results:A total of 600 students were examined(412 girls and 188 boys),and 14 students showed pediculosis.And the total prevalence rate was 2.3%(3.2% girls and 0.5% boys).The infestation was equal in public and private schools.The rate of pediculosis was higher in students of primary schools(4.0%) than those in middle schools(0.7%).The age of the students ranged from 6 to 14 years.The total number of infected group was 14 with mean age of 8.93 ± 2.43 years,and it was 586 with mean age of 10.98 ± 2.82 years for the uninfected group who were enrolled in the study(P < 0.01).This study showed significant differences between students with curly hair(5.5%) and those with straight hair(1.9%)when compared in terms of head lice infestation(P < 0.05).The relations of pediculosis and other socioeconomic factors such as sharing common comb and a room with other people,frequency of bathing,and parents' profession and education were analyzed,and Chi-square test did not show a statistically significant relationship between head lice contamination and the abovementioned socioeconomic factors(P > 0.05).Conclusions:It is necessary to find the risk factors of the infection in order to understand how to control or decrease infection in students,considering the important role of health education in reduction of head lice infections.