Vaccuuming method as a successful strategy in the diagnosis of active infestation by Pediculus humanus capitis.

Vaccuuming method as a successful strategy in the diagnosis of active infestation by Pediculus humanus capitis. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo. 2020;62:e7 Authors: Lustosa BPR, Haidamak J, Oishi CY, Souza AB, Lima BJFS, Reifur L, Shimada MK, Vicente VA, Aleixandre MAV, Klisiowicz DDR Abstract Most human epidemiological and clinical studies use visual inspection of the hair and scalp to diagnose Pediculus humanus capitis , however this method has low sensitivity to diagnose active infestations (presence of nymphs and adult lice). Vacuuming the hair and scalp has been used as a diagnostic method, but there are no previous data comparing its effectiveness with visual inspection. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of overall infestation (nits and trophic stages), of active infestation by Pediculus humanus capitis , and to evaluate the effectiveness of vacuuming in comparison with the visual inspection. Visual inspection was performed by three examiners and vacuuming of the scalp by one investigator, with an adapted vacuum cleaner. A total of 166 children aged 4 to 10 years old were randomly selected from public schools in Southern Brazil. Considering the positive results obtained by both methods, the prevalence of overall infestation was 63.3%, whereas active infestation was 18.7%. The visual inspection was more effective on diagnosing overall infestation, however, its effectiveness to detect active infestation was lower,...
Source: Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo - Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Tags: Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo Source Type: research