Eyelids infestation by Phthirus pubis in a boy

A clinical case of Phthirus pubis infestation of the eyelids in an eight-year-old boy is presented. He complained of a bilateral eyelids inflammation for the last two weeks which had not healed with a daily application of a collyrium. Physical examination showed the presence of small dark spheres, of approximately 1 mm, attached to the proximal extreme of the eyelashes. A microscopical examination of these elements permitted to identify adults and eggs of P. pubis. Neither insects nor eggs were found in the scalp of the patient. Treatment consisted in the extraction of the parasite elements by means of a fine forceps after the application of liquid vaseline in the eyelashes. A total of 23 adult insects and 32 eggs was removed. The boy proceeded from a boarding school,--where none of the other 27 children was found infested--and stayed there from Monday to Friday, going home for week ends. It was impossible to contact the mother, the most probable source the patient infestation, for epidemiological and prophylactical purposes.