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

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 <TEX>$65{\mu}m$</TEX> and a respiratory pathway with a <TEX>$15{\sim}25{\mu}m$</TEX> opening at the center. On the cut surface where the operculum is separated as the egg hatches, long grooves about <TEX>$1{\mu}m$</TEX> thick are uniformly formed transversely. These long grooves facilitate the separation of the operculum through body expansion at the time of hatching.