High prevalence of knockdown resistance mutations, genetic clade diversity, and detection of <i>Acinetobacter</i> species in head lice (<i>Pediculus humanus capitis</i>) infesting children in a Thai orphanage: A comprehensive survey.

ABSTRACT: Pediculosis, caused by the head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis), remains a public health challenge among school-aged children. The emergence of resistance to pyrethroid insecticides associated with mutations in the knockdown resistance (kdr) genes may hinder control efforts. Furthermore, head lice have been implicated as potential vectors for bacterial pathogens, raising concerns about their role in disease transmission. Head lice collected from children in an orphanage were analyzed for genetic diversity, kdr-mutation resistance, and the presence of bacterial pathogens. A total of 107 lice samples were screened for the kdr T917I mutation using PCR-RFLP. Clade diversity was assessed through phylogenetic analysis of cytb gene sequences, supported by spec

SUBMITTER: Gul U 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12681526 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature