Publication Type: | Journal Article |
Year of Publication: | 2012 |
Authors: | A. Veracx, Raoult D. |
Journal: | Trends in Parasitology |
Volume: | 28 |
Issue: | 12 |
Pagination: | 563 - 571 |
Date Published: | Jan-12-2012 |
ISSN: | 14714922 |
Abstract: | Head lice and body lice have distinct ecologies and differ slightly in morphology and biology, questioning their taxonomic status. Over the past 10 years many genetic studies have been undertaken. Controversial data sug- gest that not only body lice but also head lice can serve as vectors of Bartonella quintana, and a better understand- ing of louse epidemiology is crucial. Here, we review taxonomic studies based on biology and genetics, includ- ing genomic data on lice, lice endosymbionts, and louse- transmitted bacteria. We recommend that studies of hu- man lice employ morphological and biological character- istics in conjunction with transcriptomic date because lice seem to differ mainly in gene expression (and not in gene content), leading to different phenotypes. |
URL: | http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1471492212001638 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.pt.2012.09.003 |
Short Title: | Trends in Parasitology |
Biology and genetics of human head and body lice
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