Ectoparasites

Parasitology Department
Medical Faculty of USU
Ectoparasites
General
Definition:
parasites which live on the
surface of a host and are
dependent on at least one gene or
its product from that host to
complete their own life cycle
(Dr.Clive Bennet 1998)
Ectoparasites
General
Ectoparasite infestations are
often seen in pediatric patients
Typical infestations result from
arthropods such as: S.scabiei,
Pediculus humanus corporis and
Pediculus humanus capitis
Ectoparasites
Scabies
Due to Sarcoptes scabiei
Belongs to order Astigmata, Class
Arachnida
Scabies
features
Adult female: 0.4mm long
It burrows into stratum corneum layer of
skin
Eggs: laid in burrows, glossy, white and
smooth, lays2-3 eggs/day; hatch in 3-4
days
Larvae grise to skin surface and mature
in 14 to 17 days.
Adult females: life span 30 days
Adult male: dies shortly after mating
Scabies
life cycle
Scabies
features

Burrow of Sarcoptes
consisting adult female
Gravid female scabies mite
and eggs
 Scabies
Epidemiology
Transmissions: Breeding environments:
Close contact; In overcrowded living
holding hands, conditions
sharing towel, Elderly nursing homes
clothing or bedding In school children
Personal contact: playing together
sleeping together, Roommates
sexual
Sexual patrners
Human scabies on the hand
Scabies
Prevention
Avoid sharing personal stuff
Check family members
Clothing and underwear should
changed regularly
Have regular bathing
Keep all bedding well laundered
Lice
Features
Ordo pthiraptera; subordo: anoplura
Dorso-ventrally
flattened bodies
wingless
Permanent ectoparasites of mammals:
sucking blood
Nocturnal feeding
Body Lice
General
Due to: Pediculus humanus corporis
Defenition:
parasitic insects that live on the
body and clothing or bedding of
infected humans
Body lice are found on the body
and clothing or bedding used by
infested people. Occasionally eggs
are attached to body hair
Body Lice
General
Adult female louse her can lay up to
150 eggs a day during 20-day adult
life span.
Eggs hatch in 7-10 days, and the
larvae mature into adults in 9 days
Lives and lays eggs in the seams
(layers) of clothing
The adult louse emerges from clothing
to take a blood meal, usually at night.
Body Lice
Epidemiology
Lives and lays eggs in the seams
(layers) of clothing
The adult louse emerges from
clothing to take a blood meal,
usually at night.
Body Lice
Medical important
Dermatitis Transmission:
Vector of o Fecal
diseases: contamination
o Trench Fever: o Body crushing
o Louse borne o Physical contact
epidemic typhus
o Louse borne
relapsing fever
Body Lice
Prevention and control
Personal hygiene
Changing and washing the clothing
in water hotter than 60C,
preferably followed by ironing
Permethrin in lotion, shampoo,
emulsion, and powder
Head Lice
General
Due to: Pediculus humanus capitis
Definition: parasitic insectsm
found on the heads of people
Commonly found on the scalp,
behind the ears and near the
neckline at the back of the neck.
Children 3-10 years are commonly
affected
Head Lice
General
The adult female louse lays 7 to
10 eggs daily in egg casings (nits)
that are cemented to the base of
hair shafts
Eggs hatch in 8 to 10 days,
mature in 8 to 15 days, and live
9 to 30 days as adult
Head Lice
epidemiology
Transmission: head to head
contact is common during play at
school and at home;
Wearing clothing, such as hat,
scarves, coats etc
Using infested combs, brushes, or
towels
Lying on a bed, couch, pillow, carpet
that has recently been in contact
with an infested person
Head Lice
Medical important
o Itchy
o Erythema
o Discomfort
o Secondary infection:
o Vagabondd disease: darkened,
thickened skin (hyperceratination)
o Plica polonica: exudate, fungus
grow, a fetid odor
Head Lice
Prevention and control
o Personal hygiene
o Regularly washing with soap and
warm water
o Regularly combing with ordinary
comb
o Permethrin in lotion, shampoo,
emulsion, and powder