Human pediculosis, a global public health problem
Abstract Background Human pediculosis is caused by hematophagous lice, which are transmitted between individuals via direct and/or indirect contact. Despite the public health importance of louse infestation, information concerning the global burden of pediculosis and the epidemiological landscape of...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-05-01
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| Series: | Infectious Diseases of Poverty |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-022-00986-w |
| _version_ | 1811258714079887360 |
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| author | Yi-Tian Fu Chaoqun Yao Yuan-Ping Deng Hany M. Elsheikha Renfu Shao Xing-Quan Zhu Guo-Hua Liu |
| author_facet | Yi-Tian Fu Chaoqun Yao Yuan-Ping Deng Hany M. Elsheikha Renfu Shao Xing-Quan Zhu Guo-Hua Liu |
| author_sort | Yi-Tian Fu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Human pediculosis is caused by hematophagous lice, which are transmitted between individuals via direct and/or indirect contact. Despite the public health importance of louse infestation, information concerning the global burden of pediculosis and the epidemiological landscape of louse-borne diseases is limited. The aim of this review was to summarize the biology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and control of lice infestation in humans. We also discussed the latest advances in molecular taxonomy and molecular genetics of lice. Methods We searched five electronic bibliographic databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, CNKI, VIP Chinese Journal Database, and Wanfang Data) and followed a standard approach for conducting scoping reviews to identify studies on various aspects of human lice. Relevant information reported in the identified studies were collated, categorized, and summarized. Results A total of 282 studies were eligible for the final review. Human pediculosis remains a public health issue affecting millions of people worldwide. Emerging evidence suggests that head lice and body lice should be considered conspecific, with different genotypes and ecotypes. Phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial (mt) cytb gene sequences identified six distinct clades of lice worldwide. In addition to the direct effect on human health, lice can serve as vectors of disease-causing pathogens. The use of insecticides plays a crucial role in the treatment and prevention of louse infestation. Genome sequencing has advanced our knowledge of the genetic structure and evolutionary biology of human lice. Conclusions Human pediculosis is a public health problem affecting millions of people worldwide, particularly in developing countries. More progress can be made if emphasis is placed on the use of emerging omics technologies to elucidate the mechanisms that underpin the physiological, ecological, and evolutionary aspects of lice. Graphic Abstract |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T18:17:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4463fbe6866e420ab862ce27963f0934 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2049-9957 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T18:17:34Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Infectious Diseases of Poverty |
| spelling | doaj.art-4463fbe6866e420ab862ce27963f09342022-12-22T03:21:32ZengBMCInfectious Diseases of Poverty2049-99572022-05-0111111510.1186/s40249-022-00986-wHuman pediculosis, a global public health problemYi-Tian Fu0Chaoqun Yao1Yuan-Ping Deng2Hany M. Elsheikha3Renfu Shao4Xing-Quan Zhu5Guo-Hua Liu6Research Center for Parasites and Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural UniversityDepartment of Biomedical Sciences and One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary MedicineResearch Center for Parasites and Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural UniversityFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of NottinghamCentre for Bioinnovation, School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine CoastCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural UniversityResearch Center for Parasites and Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural UniversityAbstract Background Human pediculosis is caused by hematophagous lice, which are transmitted between individuals via direct and/or indirect contact. Despite the public health importance of louse infestation, information concerning the global burden of pediculosis and the epidemiological landscape of louse-borne diseases is limited. The aim of this review was to summarize the biology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and control of lice infestation in humans. We also discussed the latest advances in molecular taxonomy and molecular genetics of lice. Methods We searched five electronic bibliographic databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, CNKI, VIP Chinese Journal Database, and Wanfang Data) and followed a standard approach for conducting scoping reviews to identify studies on various aspects of human lice. Relevant information reported in the identified studies were collated, categorized, and summarized. Results A total of 282 studies were eligible for the final review. Human pediculosis remains a public health issue affecting millions of people worldwide. Emerging evidence suggests that head lice and body lice should be considered conspecific, with different genotypes and ecotypes. Phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial (mt) cytb gene sequences identified six distinct clades of lice worldwide. In addition to the direct effect on human health, lice can serve as vectors of disease-causing pathogens. The use of insecticides plays a crucial role in the treatment and prevention of louse infestation. Genome sequencing has advanced our knowledge of the genetic structure and evolutionary biology of human lice. Conclusions Human pediculosis is a public health problem affecting millions of people worldwide, particularly in developing countries. More progress can be made if emphasis is placed on the use of emerging omics technologies to elucidate the mechanisms that underpin the physiological, ecological, and evolutionary aspects of lice. Graphic Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-022-00986-wHuman licePediculosisPublic healthPhylogeneticsOmics technology |
| spellingShingle | Yi-Tian Fu Chaoqun Yao Yuan-Ping Deng Hany M. Elsheikha Renfu Shao Xing-Quan Zhu Guo-Hua Liu Human pediculosis, a global public health problem Infectious Diseases of Poverty Human lice Pediculosis Public health Phylogenetics Omics technology |
| title | Human pediculosis, a global public health problem |
| title_full | Human pediculosis, a global public health problem |
| title_fullStr | Human pediculosis, a global public health problem |
| title_full_unstemmed | Human pediculosis, a global public health problem |
| title_short | Human pediculosis, a global public health problem |
| title_sort | human pediculosis a global public health problem |
| topic | Human lice Pediculosis Public health Phylogenetics Omics technology |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-022-00986-w |
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