Medical Microbiology

Insects 615

Pediculushumanuscorporis(BodyLouse)

Occurrence,morphology,andbiology.VeryrareincentralEurope.Ovalbody,

length:2.7–4.7mm.Verydifficulttodistinguishfromheadlouse(Fig. 11 .1c).

Localizationmainlyinclothing,wherenitsaredepositedonfibers.Theselice

contacttothehostonlyforbloodmeals.Durationoflifecycleaboutthreeweeks,

lifespanonhostusuallyfourtofiveweeks,rarelyaslongastwomonths;cansurvive

withoutahostat 10 – 208 Cforaboutoneweekandat 0 – 108 Cforapproximately

10 days.

Clinicalmanifestations,diagnosis,andcontrol.Bitereactionsonthebody,espe-

ciallyaroundtheunderwear,areindicativeofbodylouseinfestation.Toconfirm

diagnosisinspectclothingfornitsandlice.Control:seeheadlousep. 61 4.

Phthiruspubis(CraborPubicLouse)

Occurrence,morphology,andbiology.Thecrablouseoccurswithsomereg-

ularityincentralEurope.Infestationsaremorefrequentinadultsthaninchil-

drenandinmenmorefrequentlythaninwomen.Thislousespeciescanbe

readilydifferentiatedfromtheheadorbodylouse:small,length 1 .3– 1 .6mm,

withtrapezoidorcrablikebodyform(Fig. 11 .1d).Theparasitesaremostoften

foundonhairofthepubicandperianalregion,morerarelyonhairyareasof

theabdominalregion,hairsaroundthenipples,beardhairs,eyelashes,and

eyebrows.Thelifecycletakesthreetofourweeks.Deprivedofahost,crablice

dieatroomtemperaturewithintwodays.

Epidemiology.Transmissionofcrabliceisalmostsolelybywayofclosebody

contact(sexualintercourseinadultsorparent-childcontact).Indirecttrans-

missiononcommonlyusedbeds,clothes,etc.ispossible,butisnotamajor

factor.

Clinicalmanifestations

&Pruritusandscratchesinthegenitalareaandotherinfestationsites(see

above).

&Insomepatientstypicalslate-bluespots,afewmmto 1 cminsize(ma-

culaecoeruleae,macula=spot,coeruleus=blue,blackish).

Diagnosis,therapy,control.Detectionofliceandnitsinthepubicareaand

otherpossiblelocalizationsbymeansofinspection(magnifyingglass!).

Treatmentwithlindane,malathion,orothersubstances(seealsoheadlouse).

Itisimportanttoidentifycontactpersonsandhavethemtreatedasneces-

sary.

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Kayser, Medical Microbiology © 2005 Thieme