Lice Specimens Research Articles

The First Case of Menacanthus pallidulus (Neumann, 1912) (Phthiraptera: Amblycera: Menoponidae) on A Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus Linnaeus, 1758) in Türkiye.

This case report was prepared to provide information about Menacanthus pallidulus (Neumann, 1912), which was detected for the first time on a domestic chicken in Hatay province of Türkiye. Louse specimens collected from a chicken by a student were brought to Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology, and sent to Selçuk University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology, for identification of species and microscopic examination revealed the presence of Menacanthus pallidulus (Neumann, 1912). Thus, with this study, the presence of M. pallidulus on domestic chickens was recorded for the first time in Türkiye.

Serological and molecular diagnosis of Trypanosoma vivax on buffalos (Bubalus bubalis) and their ectoparasites in the lowlands of Maranhão, Brazil.

The aim of this study was to detect trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma vivax, in blood smears, DNA of T. vivax and anti-T. vivax antibodies in samples from buffalos reared in the lowlands of Maranhão, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 116 buffalos and 25 ectoparasite specimens. Blood smears were produced to diagnose forms compatible with Trypanosoma spp.; the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) and lateral-flow immunochromatography (Imunotest®) serological tests were used; and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to make molecular diagnoses. No forms compatible with Trypanosoma spp. were observed in blood smears. Among the 116 serum samples analyzed, 79.31% and 76.72% were positive in the ELISA and rapid tests, respectively. One sample was positive in the molecular test. Twenty-five lice of the species Haematopinus tuberculatus were collected. When subjected to PCR for detection of DNA of T. vivax, all of them were negative. The louse specimens were negative for T. vivax. There were no statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in the presence of T. vivax in this region, in relation to the animals' age and sex. It can be concluded that these protozoa are circulating in the buffalo herd of the lowlands of Maranhão displaying crypitc parasitemias.

Host–Parasite Associations and New Records of Chewing Lice (Phthiraptera: Amblycera, Ischnocera) from Raptors (Accipitriformes, Falconiformes, Strigiformes) Encountered in Egypt

Abstract Compared to many other groups of parasitic insects, the chewing louse fauna of the Middle East remains poorly known. Our attempts to alleviate this data deficiency include this report of lice that we found on five species of raptors in Egypt. From a total of 12 birds, we recovered four new records of chewing lice for Egypt: Colpocephalum milvi Tendeiro, Restivo &amp; Demartis; Laemobothrion maximum (Scopoli); Colpocephalum percnopteri Price &amp; Beer; and Laemobothrion vulturis (F.). We also recovered additional records for Egypt of Degeeriella regalis (Giebel), Colpocephalum turbinatum Denny, and Strigiphilus cursitans (Nitzsch [in Giebel]). The record of S. cursitans constitutes a new host association, Bubo ascalaphus Savigny. We provide measurements, taxonomic and ecological notes for all identified chewing louse specimens.

Investigation of Morphological Characteristics of Pubic lice (Pthirus pubis, Linnaeus, 1758)

Pubic lice (Pthirus pubis) are obligate, permanent ectoparasites of humans, entirely dependent upon their vertebrate hosts for survival. Pubic lice have a very simplified body form as a result of their parasitic characteristics, being wingless and dorsoventrally flattened. In the study, the pubic lice taken from a male patient were examined morphologically in detail and their taxonomic characteristics were presented. The lice specimens were examined for morphological and taxonomic characteristics under a light microscope. The identification of the Pthirus pubis species was made by determining the height, anatomical body parts, dorsal and ventral morphological details of the adult male and female two pubic lice. Examined adult pubic lice were light cream-colored, 1-2 mm in length, and their anatomical structures included three pairs of legs, two prominent antennae, and parts of the thorax and abdomen in a combined structure. Pthirus pubis causes pediculosis pubis disease in humans. The disease can be sexually transmitted to humans. Pthirus pubis is spread primarily through person-to-person sexual contact. Pubic louse is a major public health problem that can be contagious among humans, and it has great importance to know their morphological characters to diagnose this ectoparasite and distinguish it from other insects.

Description of the Nymphal Stages of Hoplopleura affinis (Anoplura: Hoplopleuridae) from the Striped Field Mouse Apodemus agrarius with a Global Checklist of Hoplopleura Species from the Genus Apodemus.

Simple SummarySucking lice are blood-feeding, external parasites of mammals. To date, approximately 540 species have been discovered, occurring in 830 hosts. New species are discovered every year, and the total number is estimated at 1500. The discovery of a species is associated with a detailed description of morphological characteristics. Most descriptions concern only adult specimens. The present study adds to the knowledge by characterizing nymphs of Hoplopleura affinis, a species that parasites the striped field mouse Apodemus agrarius, a common rodent in Europe and Africa. In addition, a checklist of Hoplopleura species parasitizing members of the genus Apodemus was compiled.The genus Hoplopleura is the most speciose genus of sucking lice observed parasitizing rodents and lagomorphs (pikas). Despite the fact that the majority of Anoplura are believed to be monoxenic, many species within Hoplopleura may be oligoxenic. In addition, the occurrence of more than one parasite species per host species on individuals has been confirmed. As such, a precise species identification of the parasite, especially of the nymphs, is of high significance. The study is based on the material of 245 sucking louse specimens taken from 179 individuals of the striped field mouse Apodemus agrarius collected between 2008 and 2017. The study employs scanning microscopy to provide superior quality resolution of the studied traits. The study presents the first record of the characters of the nymphal stages of H. affinis, one of the common Eurasian species of the genus. Additional aspects of the biology and the host–parasite relationship of H. affinis are presented, e.g., female, male and nymphs of lice, showing different preferences in the choice of location (topography) on the host body. In addition, a global checklist has been made of all the species of Hoplopleura found parasitizing rodents of the genus Apodemus. Generally, the ranges of the occurrence of lice of this genus coincide with the geographic distribution of typical hosts, although this has not always been confirmed by local studies.

Eficácia in vitro do óleo de Carapa guianensis Aubl. (Meliaceae) sobre Damalinia (Bovicola) ovis Schrank (1781)

Productivity in small ruminants can be compromised due to lice infestations. This pest infestation is controlled by the administration of insecticides, and their excessive use causes resistance. New control alternatives are being investiga-ted, especially the use of phytotherapeutics. Research using the oil from Carapa guianensis (andiroba) has shown insecticidal action on feline and goat lice specimens. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of C. guianensis seed oil, in vitro, on Damalinia (Bovicola) ovis.Nine hundred specimens of D. (Bovicola) ovis were randomly assigned into groups and were subjected to different treatments: (G1) 1,000 to 15.6 mg/mL of C. guianensis oil; (G2) 3% Tween 80 (negative control); and (G3) amitraz 1.25 g/mL (positive control). Data presentation was expressed as mean efficacy ± standard deviation using the statistical program SPSS version 23.0 and statistical differences of the experimental groups were obtained by Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman. Probit Regression was performed to obtain CI50 and CI90, with a significance level of p &lt; 0.05. The oil with a concentration of 1,000 mg/mL had an efficacy of 94% after 24 hours of exposure, differing statistically from the positive and negative control (p &lt; 0.05). The IC50 and IC90 values were 439.21 mg/mL and 807.09 mg/mL, respectively. The action of the oil on the specimens was independent whether it was an adult female, male, or nymph. It is concluded that C. guianensis oil showed in vitro insecticidal effect against D. (Bovicola) ovis.

The first description of the nymphal stages of Hoplopleura longula (Psocodea: Anoplura: Hoplopleuridae) from the harvest mouse Micromys minutus (Rodentia: Muridae).

BackgroundDespite the widespread belief that an extensive body of knowledge exists for the sucking lice (Anoplura), some of their common, Eurasian or even cosmopolitan species still lack complete taxonomic descriptions, especially those for their nymphal stages. This applies especially to the most common rodent parasites: the lice of the genus Hoplopleura. In Europe, only two of the five most common Hoplopleura species have full taxonomic characteristics with a description of the nymphal stages. This study enriches the current state of knowledge for another species, Hoplopleura longula and presents the first description of its nymphal stages.The study includes five rare louse specimens (two nymphs I, one nymph II, two nymphs III) of H. longula collected from 63 Eurasian harvest mice Micromys minutus. The collected lice were fixed and preserved in 70% ethyl alcohol solution and then placed in polyvinyl-lactophenol to form total preparations.New informationOnly two of the five species found in Eurasia (H. acanthopus, H. affinis, H. captiosa, H. edentula and H. longula) have been given full taxonomic descriptions, including immature stages. This paper presents a description of the nymphal stages of H. longula (described for the first time).

Ectoparasitism of the feather chewing louse Colpocephalum trichosum on the Andean Condor Vultur gryphus

ABSTRACTS Feather chewing lice are common and important ectoparasites of birds. Here we report for the first time the presence of the ectoparasite, Colpocephalum trichosum Harrison1916 (Phthiraptera: Menoponidae on the Andean condor Vultur gryphus Linnaeus, 1758 from the North high Andes of Ecuador in Pichincha province. A total of 20 louse specimens were collected and analyzed from one free-living female juvenile host. Additionally, high resolution photographs of the louse are included, and a discussion on the potential implications of ectoparasites on the conservation of this threatened bird species is presented. Finally, we propose that further studies on Andean Condor ectoparasites should be focused on the potential causes and effects of these interactions.

Automontage microscopy and SEM: A combined approach for documenting ancient lice

Human ectoparasites, including lice, have been recovered from a wide range of archaeological materials. The human head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis, has been identified from mummies and sediments for decades. Louse eggs are the body part most commonly encountered and therefore the most frequently quantified. Typically, several types of microscopy are applied for egg documentation. For studies in which quantification of infestation is a goal, counting is done with the naked eye or with the aid of handheld lenses. For determination and stage classification, stereomicroscopy is commonly used. For more detailed examination of microstructure, light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) can be employed. In most reports, researchers use two or more techniques to accomplish interrelated goals. Automontage microscopy is used to document prehistoric arthropods with good success. Herein, we report the results of a combination of SEM and automontage microscopy to document lice and eggs recovered from South American mummies. This combined approach allows for simultaneous examination of internal and external characteristics. Thirty automontage composite images of 2 adult lice and 16 eggs showed that egg internal morphologies were easily examined showing the within-egg anatomy of emergent nymphs. SEM imaging of 9 lice and 129 eggs was completed. In the case of two adults and several eggs, SEM imaging was accomplish after automontage image capture of the same specimens. This one-to-one image comparison of SEM and automontage shows that transmitted light of automontage reveals egg internal structures and details of the adult lice. SEM allows for high magnification examination of egg, nymph and adult microstructures. We conclude that automontage imaging followed by SEM results in efficient graphic documentation of rare louse specimens.

Türkiye'de bir eşekte (Equus asinus Linnaeus, 1758) ilk Bovicola (Werneckiella) ocellatus (Piaget, 1880) (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera: Trichodectidae) olgusu

In the clinical examination of a donkey, which brought to the Ownerless Animal Care and Rehabilitation Center of the Hatay Metropolitan Municipality due to neglecting and senility, local hair losses, ruffling and opacity were observed. A few louse specimens were detected on the hair shafts on the back of the donkey during the macroscopic examination. They were collected with a forceps, and preserved in a tube with alcohol 70%. Then they examined in detail in microscope, and identified as Bovicola ocellatus (Piaget, 1880). The presence of B. ocellatus on donkey has been reported for the first time in Turkey in this paper.

Molecular phylogeny and novel host associations of avian chewing lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) from South Africa

AbstractCompared with Europe and the Americas, the ectoparasites of African birds are poorly understood, despite the avian fauna being relatively well known. Notably, previous studies documenting the host associations and genetic diversity of parasitic chewing lice of southern African birds have been limited in geographic and taxonomic scope. Recent field expeditions exploring the avian diversity in South Africa facilitated an opportunity to obtain louse specimens from a taxonomically diverse host assemblage. This study is the first to investigate avian louse host associations and diversity across a large portion of South Africa encompassing several distinct habitat types, while incorporating molecular genetic data (from portions of the mitochondrial COI and nuclear EF‐1α genes) for ectoparasite phylogenetic analyses. From 1105 South African bird individuals and 170 species examined for lice, a total of 105 new louse–host associations were observed. Morphological and genetic examination of lice with these new host associations reveals a maximum of 66 louse species new to science. Results of this study support the observation that examining museum specimens is a useful way to investigate louse diversity and host associations.

Genetic diversity of the human head lice, Pediculus humanus capitis, among primary school girls in Saudi Arabia, with reference to their prevalence.

The present work aimed at investigating the genetic diversity of the head louse Pediculus humanus capitis (P. humanus capitis) among infested primary school girls at Bisha governorate, Saudi Arabia, based on the sequence of mitochondrial cytochrome b (mt cyt b) gene of 121 P. humanus capitis adults. Additionally, the prevalence of pediculosis capitis was surveyed. The results of sequencing were compared with the sequence of human head lice that are genotyped previously. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed the presence of 100% identity (n=26) of louse specimens with clade A (prevalent worldwide) of the GenBank data base. Louse individuals (n=50) showed 99.8% similarity with the same clade A reference having a single base pair difference. Also, a number of 22 louse individuals revealed 99.8% identity with clade B reference (prevalent in North and Central Americas, Europe, and Australia) with individual diversity in two base pairs. Moreover, 14 louse individual sequences revealed 99.4% identity with three base pair differences. It was concluded that moderate pediculosis (~13%) prevailed among the female students of the primary schools. It was age-and hair texture (straight or curly)-dependent. P. humanus capitis prevalence diversity is of clades A and B genotyping.

Chewing lice species (Phthiraptera) found on a European Shag(Phalacrocorax aristotelis) in Turkey: new records of a genus and twospecies for the Turkish fauna of Phthiraptera

This study was carried out on a young European Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) caught in the sea in Akçay, Balıkesir, in August 2015. The lice collected from the European Shag were put into 70% alcohol solution and were mounted to slides with Canada balsam after being made transparent in 10% potassium hydroxide. The lice Eidmanniella pellucida and Pectinopygus brevicornis were determined as a result of the microscopic examination of the 54 louse specimens. This study is the first for the louse species related to the European Shag in Turkey. Additionally, the genus Eidmanniella and the species Eidmanniella pellucida and Pectinopygus brevicornis are reported for the first time from Turkey.

Chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Amblycera, Ischnocera) of some aquatic birds in Konya province, Turkey, new records for Turkish fauna

This study was performed to detect chewing lice species existed on some aquatic birds in Konya province in Turkey between 2014-2016. For this aim, the birds which were brought to the clinics of Selçuk University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine for treatment, and dead birds collected at Lake Çavuşçu were examined for louse. Louse specimens collected from the birds were preserved in eppendorf tubes containing ethyl alcohol 70%, made transparent in potassium hydroxide (KOH) 10% for 24 hours, rinsed in distilled water and transferred to alcohol 70% and 99% at consecutive days. They were mounted in Canada balsam on the slides for identification. Among studied 94 birds belonging to 12 species in eight genera in five orders, 84 of them (89.36%) were found to be infested with lice. Eighteen louse species belonging to 14 genera were detected in the study. The genus Aquanirmus (Clay and Meinertzhagen, 1939) and the species; Aquanirmuspodicepis (Denny, 1842), Pectinopygusbifasciatus (Piaget, 1880), Anaticolamergiserrati (De Geer, 1778), Pseudomenopondolium (Rudow, 1869), Laemobothrionatrum (Nitzsch, 1818), Rallicolaminutus (Nitzsch [in Giebel], 1866), Austromenopon transversum (Denny, 1842) were reported for the first time in Turkey

First Record ofBartonella vinsoniiin the Sucking LouseHoplopleura hirsutaCollected from Hispid Cotton Rats,Sigmodon hispidus, in Mexico

This study determined the presence of Bartonella species in sucking lice from hispid cotton rat, Sigmodon hispidus Say and Ord, at San Luis Potosí, Mexico. Louse specimens were processed for morphological identification and evaluated for Bartonella DNA. A single sucking louse species was found and identified as Hoplopleura hirsuta Ferris. DNA was extracted from 20 adults, and a 379-bp fragment of Bartonella citrate synthase (gltA) gene was amplified. Six lice (30%) were positive for Bartonella DNA, and all sequences found belonged to Bartonella vinsonii Brenner et al. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a member of B. vinsonii complex associated with sucking lice.

The fauna and abundance of chewing lice (Insecta, Phthiraptera) parasitizing sedentary passerine birds (Aves, Passeriformes) in Yakutia

The data on the fauna, abundance and prevalence of chewing lice collected from 360 specimens of 13 sedentary species of passerine birds in Yakutia are given. A total of 3206 chewing lice specimens belonging to 27 species of 6 genera were found. Most explored bird species were infested with several chewing lice species. We assume exchanges of parasites could take place between some bird species in the region explored.

First report of Anatoecus dentatus in domestic duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus, Linnaeus, 1978) from Southern India

Parasitic infection is one of the prime causes for morbidity and mortality of ducks in India. Ducks have the habit of wading through the water resources especially paddy fields and feeding on snail which favours occurrence of various parasites. Among the parasites, lice infestation affects growth and productivity of ducks by way of irritation. Lice are well adapted as external parasites and usually are more a nuisance than a threat to their hosts. A nomadic farmer from Mannargudi area of Cauvery delta region of Tamil Nadu, India who had a flock of 1600 ducks reported continuous death of 700 ducks within a period of one month and brought a dead duck to Dept. of Veterinary Pathology for postmortem examination. Examination of entire body of duck prior to necropsy revealed the presence of live lice in the hairs around the junction of beak and head. About 7 lice specimens were collected and brought to Dept. of Veterinary Parasitology for identification. The lice specimens were processed and identified as Anatoecus dentatus based on the presence of ‘tin opener’ shaped effracter in the male genitalia. This is the first report of occurrence of these lice in ducks from Southern India.

Anoplurans (Insecta: Psocodea: Anoplura) associated with rodents distributed in the neotropical region of Mexico

From April to December of 2010, we performed a cross sectional study in order to collect and identify the species of anoplurans associated with cricetid and heteromyd rodents from montane forests in 5 localities in Guerrero and Oaxaca, Mexico. We analyzed 147 rodents belonging to 10 cricetid species and 1 heteromyd species. A total of 378 sucking lice were collected (189 ♀, 106 ♂, 83 nymphs), distributed in 6 species (Fahrenholzia microcephala, Hoplopleura emphereia, Hoplopleura ferrisi, Hoplopleura reithrodontomydis, Neohaematopinus neotomae, Polyplax auricularis) and 2 families (Hoplopleuridae and Polyplacidae). Lice specimens were processed for morphological and molecular identification, using the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase subunit I. Infestations were characterized based on the prevalence and mean abundance. Five of the 6 species were confirmed by molecular analysis. The highest levels of infestation were recorded for H. emphereia (66.7%; 4.4) on Megadontomys thomasi. All localities represent new records for the species studied.

First Reports of Sarconema eurycerca and Trinoton anserinum in The Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) in Van, Turkey

Whooper swan Cygnus cygnus (Linnaeus, 1758) with wounded wing that found in the Ercis district of Van province was brought into Directorship of Wild Animal Protection of University of Yuzuncu Yil. Despite the surgical interventions, the whooper swan could not be rescued. Five lice in the feather and three nematodes in the heart were found at examination of the whooper swan. These lice specimens were identified as Trinoton anserinum (Fabricius, 1805). After the necropsy, nematodes were found in the heart of the whooper swan. Nematodes were identified as Sarconema eurycerca according to their morphological pecularities. Sarconema eurycerca have been reported for the first time in Whooper swan in Van, Turkey.

Chewing lice (Phthiraptera) species of wild birds in northwestern Turkey with a new host record

The goal of this study was to identify the chewing lice species of migratory and non-migratory wild birds in the province of Bursa, which is located in northwestern Turkey, between August 2009 and November 2012. Sixty-eight birds brought to the animal hospital in need of medical intervention, which belonged to 25 species, 20 genera and 15 families in 10 orders, were examined for ectoparasites. To sample for the presence of chewing lice, an insecticide was pulverised on the feathers of each bird over a white piece of paper, and then all of the lice were collected and placed in tubes containing 70% alcohol. The lice specimens were cleared in 10% KOH for 24h, mounted in Canada balsam and identified using a light microscope. Forty (58.8%) out of 68 birds examined were infested with at least one species of chewing lice, and a total of 29 lice species were found on the birds. This study represents the first documentation in Turkey of 9 of these lice species and also provides the first worldwide record of Degeeriella nisus on the Common buzzard (Buteo buteo).