First Detection of Acinetobacter baumannii in Pediculus humanus capitis from Latin America.

ABSTRACT: Several studies have documented the presence of Acinetobacter baumannii, a known multi-drug-resistant pathogen, in the human head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis. Since no reports from countries in Latin America have been published, the aim of the present study was to determine whether A. baumannii was present in head lice specimens collected in this geographic region. Head lice specimens from Argentina, Colombia, and Honduras were analyzed. PCR assays were performed to confirm the specimens' species and to investigate whether the DNA of A. baumannii was present. The products of the latter were sequenced to confirm bacterial identity. Altogether, 122 pools of head lice were analyzed, of which two (1.64%) were positive for A. baumannii's DNA. The positive

SUBMITTER: Larkin K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10386172 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature