Genetic diversity of human head lice and molecular detection of associated bacterial pathogens in Democratic Republic of Congo

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2019
Authors:C. Scherelle Boumbanda-Koyo, Amanzougaghene, N., Davoust, B., Tshilolo, L., Lekana-Douki, J. Bernard, Raoult, D., Mediannikov, O., Fenollar, F.
Journal:Parasites & Vectors
Volume:12
Issue:209
Pagination:9 pp
Date Published:06-2019
Type of Article:Open Access
Keywords:Acinetobacter baumannii, Acinetobacter spp., clade E, Democratic Republic of Congo, head lice
Abstract:

Background: Head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis, is an obligatory blood-sucking ectoparasite, distributed worldwide. Phylogenetically, it occurs in five divergent mitochondrial clades (A-E); each exhibiting a particular geographical distribution. Recent studies suggest that, as in the case of body louse, head louse could be a disease vector. We aimed to study the genetic diversity of head lice collected in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) and to screen for louse-borne pathogens in these lice.

Methods: A total of 181 head lice were collected from 27 individuals at the Monkole Hospital Center located in Kinshasa. All head lice were genotyped and screened for the presence of louse-borne bacteria using molecular methods. We searched for Bartonella quintana, Borrelia recurrentis, Rickettsia prowazekii, Anaplasma spp., Yersinia pestis, Coxiella burnetii and Acinetobacter spp.

Results: Among these head lice, 67.4% (122/181) belonged to clade A and 24.3% (44/181) belonged to clade D. Additionally, for the first time in this area, we found clade E in 8.3% (15/181) of tested lice, from two infested individuals. Dual infestation with clades A and D was observed for 44.4% individuals. Thirty-three of the 181 head lice were infected only by different bacterial species of the genus Acinetobacter. Overall, 16 out of 27 individuals were infested (59.3%). Six Acinetobacter species were detected including Acinetobacter baumannii (8.3%), Acinetobacter johnsonii (1.7%), Acinetobacter soli (1.7%), Acinetobacter pittii (1.7%), Acinetobacter guillouiae (1.1%), as well as a new potential species named "Candidatus Acinetobacter pediculi".

Conclusions: To our knowledge, this study reports for the first time, the presence of clade E head lice in DR Congo. This study is also the first to report the presence of Acinetobacter species DNAs in human head lice in DR Congo.

URL:https://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13071-019-3540-6
DOI:10.1186/s13071-019-3540-6
Short Title:Parasites Vectors
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