@article {46254, title = {The adherent cylindrical nit structure and its chemical denaturation in vitro: an assessment with therapeutic implications for head lice}, journal = {Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine}, volume = {152}, year = {1998}, note = {LR: 20041117; JID: 9422751; ppublish}, month = {1998}, pages = {711 - 712}, address = {UNITED STATES}, abstract = {

Pediculus humanus capitis is the insect responsible for head lice. During the female louse\&$\#$39;s 30-day lifespan, she lays approximately 10 eggs per day and attaches each of them with a gluelike, waterproof substance to human hair, 1 mm from the scalp. Larvae emerge 8 to 10 days later from these nits, or eggs, which remain firmly attached to hair.No topical agent has been shown to be 100\% ovicidal.1 The existence of any nits, a major aspect of lice infestations, signifies the potential that this contagious malady may still be present. Many schools, therefore, adhere to a \"no-nit\" policy before children can reenter the classroom after infestation, thereby imposing prolonged absenteeism. Insecticides fail to kill all nits and larvae because they act on the insects\&$\#$39; central nervous systems, which are not fully developed in the first 4 days of the insects\&$\#$39; existence. Several products, namely, Clear lice egg remover gel (Care Technologies, Greenwich, Conn), Step 2 (Genderm, Lincolnshire, Ill), and a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water, have been suggested as beneficial in nit removal. However, no clinical benefit has been documented in the medical literature.2

}, keywords = {animals, Lice Infestations/therapy, Ovum/drug effects, Pediculus, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov{\textquoteright}t}, isbn = {1072-4710}, doi = {doi:10.1001/archpedi.152.7.711}, url = {https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/189651}, author = {Burkhart,Craig N. and Craig G. Burkhart and Pchalek,I. and Arbogast,J.} } @article {46225, title = {School nurses{\textquoteright} perceptions of and experiences with head lice}, journal = {Journal of School Health}, volume = {69}, year = {1999}, month = {1999}, pages = {153 - 158}, abstract = {

Researchers examined school nurses\&$\#$39; perceptions of head lice, perceived self-efficacy in dealing with head lice, and personal experience in reducing head lice problems. Survey data from a two-wave mailing from 382 school nurses found most nurses supported a \"no-nit\" rule of forced absenteeism of any child with nits in their hair (60\%). They perceived OTC treatments for head lice as very effective in killing adult lice (66\%), and 9\% perceived them as not effective. Nurses had a high efficacy expectation regarding their ability to control head lice (63\%), and they had high outcome expectations regarding the results of their work with students and families of students (66\%). Most nurses received their information about head lice from professional journals (76\%) and professional conferences/conventions (62\%).

}, keywords = {adult, Analysis of Variance, animals, Attitude of Health Personnel, child, Child, Preschool, humans, Lice Infestations/nursing/prevention \& control, Middle Aged, Organizational Policy, Pediculus, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov{\textquoteright}t, scalp dermatoses, School Nursing, Self Efficacy, U.S.A.}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1746-1561.1999.tb04174.x}, url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1746-1561.1999.tb04174.x}, author = {Price,J. H. and Burkhart,Craig N. and Craig G. Burkhart and Islam,R.} } @article {46224, title = {Molecular composition of the louse sheath}, journal = {Journal of Parasitology}, volume = {85}, year = {1999}, month = {1999}, pages = {559 - 561}, abstract = {

Flash pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to assess the chemical composition of the head louse\&$\#$39;s nit sheath. The pyrolyzate of the female insect\&$\#$39;s secretions, which form a cement-like cylinder holding the egg onto the hair, is dominated by amino acid derivatives and fatty acids. No chitin-specific compounds were detected in the sheath. These results, contrary to previous reports, show that the polymeric complex of the sheath is composed of proteinaceous moieties, possibly cross-linked to aliphatic components. This study constitutes the first chemical characterization of the pyrolysis products of insect (louse) glue and unequivocally confirms that louse sheaths are not chitinous, as suggested by earlier histochemical studies. Development of agents that might loosen nits from the hair shaft is dependent on research that addresses the chemical composition of the nit sheath.

}, keywords = {Amino Acids, animals, Fatty Acids/analysis, Insect proteins, Mass Fragmentography, Pediculus, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov{\textquoteright}t}, url = {https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/3285796.pdf}, author = {Burkhart,Craig N. and Stankiewicz,B. A. and Pchalek,I. and Kruge,M. A. and Craig G. Burkhart} } @article {46221, title = {Scanning electron microscopy of human head louse (Anoplura: Pediculidae) egg and its clinical ramifications}, journal = {Journal of Medical Entomology}, volume = {36}, year = {1999}, note = {LR: 20041117; JID: 0375400; ppublish}, month = {1999}, pages = {454 - 456}, address = {UNITED STATES}, abstract = {Pediculosis affects more elementary school students than all other communicable childhood diseases combined, excluding the common cold. The current study using scanning electron microscopy visualized operculums through which developing embryos received oxygen, as well as fracture lines within the adherent sheath by which the egg is attached to the hair. Using microscopic techniques, including freeze-fracturing, the mode of attachment of the sheath to the hair follicle was observed, in addition to the existence of several inner membranes enclosing the embryo within the egg structure. The chemical nature of the sheath is also analyzed using electron dispersive x-ray analysis.}, keywords = {animals, humans, Microscopy, Electron, Scanning, Ovum/ultrastructure, Pediculus, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov{\textquoteright}t, scalp dermatoses}, isbn = {0022-2585}, author = {Burkhart,Craig N. and Craig G. Burkhart and Gunning,W. T. and Arbogast,J.} } @article {46147, title = {Scanning electron microscopy of adult head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) with focus on clinical implications}, journal = {Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery}, volume = {4}, year = {2000}, note = {LR: 20041117; JID: 9614685; 1999/12/15 [received]; 2000/03/06 [accepted]; ppublish}, month = {2000}, pages = {181 - 185}, address = {Canada}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: The incidence of head lice infestations in North America is escalating with an estimated 12 million cases of head lice per year despite the existence of insecticidal therapies. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate certain characteristics of the human head louse, including their chitinous structure, nymphal developmental stages, legs with claw adaptations, antennae with sensory perceptions, and spiracles by which oxygen exchange occurs, for assessment of possible means to control the spread and growth of this insect. METHODS: Scanning electron-microscopic examination of head lice was performed. RESULTS: Newer treatments of head lice must acknowledge defense mechanisms that are based on anatomic structure and physiologic characteristics, details of louse transmission, and the insects\&$\#$39; ability to \&$\#$39;resurrect\&$\#$39; after sham death. CONCLUSIONS: An understanding of lice entomology is essential in the pursuit of novel means to control the lice epidemic.

}, keywords = {animals, humans, Microscopy, Electron, Scanning, Pediculus, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov{\textquoteright}t}, isbn = {1203-4754}, doi = {DOI: 10.1177/120347540000400402}, url = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/12100953_Scanning_electron_microscopy_of_adult_head_lice_Pediculus_humanus_capitis_with_focus_on_clinical_implications}, author = {Burkhart,Craig N. and Craig G. Burkhart and Gunning,W. T.} } @article {46035, title = {Head lice}, journal = {New England Journal of Medicine}, volume = {347}, year = {2002}, month = {2002}, pages = {1381 - 1382}, keywords = {animals, humans, insecticide, Lice Infestations/drug therapy/transmission, Malathion, Pediculus, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov{\textquoteright}t, scalp dermatoses, U.S.A.}, author = {Meinking,Terri Lynn and Craig G. Burkhart and Burkhart,Craig N.} }