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Molecular survey of the head louse Pediculus humanus capitis in Thailand and its potential role for transmitting
Sakone Sunantaraporn1, Vivornpun Sanprasert2, Theerakamol Pengsakul3
1Medical Science Program, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. narmspace_open@hotmail.com.
Background:
Head louse infestation, which is caused by Pediculus humanus capitis, occurs throughout the world. With the advent of molecular techniques, head lice have been classified into three clades. Recent reports have demonstrated that pathogenic organisms could be found in head lice. Head lice and their pathogenic bacteria in Thailand have never been investigated. In this study, we determined the genetic diversity of head lice collected from various areas of Thailand and demonstrated the presence of Acinetobacter spp. in head lice.
Methods:
Total DNA was extracted from 275 head louse samples that were collected from several geographic regions of Thailand. PCR was used to amplify the head louse COI gene and for detection of Bartonella spp. and Acinetobacter spp. The amplified PCR amplicons were cloned and sequenced. The DNA sequences were analyzed via the neighbor-joining method using Kimura's 2-parameter model.
Results:
The phylogenetic tree based on the COI gene revealed that head lice in Thailand are clearly classified into two clades (A and C). Bartonella spp. was not detected in all the samples, whereas Acinetobacter spp. was detected in 10 samples (3.62%), which consisted of A. baumannii (1.45%), A. radioresistens (1.45%), and A. schindleri (0.72%). The relationship of Acinetobacter spp. and the head lice clades showed that Acinetobacter spp. was found in clade A and C.
Conclusions:
Head lice in Thailand are classified into clade A and B based on the COI gene sequences. Pathogenic Acinetobacter spp. was detected in both clades. The data obtained from the study might assist in the development of effective strategies for head lice control in the future. Detection of pathogenic bacteria in head lice could raise awareness of head lice as a source of nosocomial bacterial infections.
Insights
Head lice in Thailand exhibit genetic diversity across two clades (A and C). Pathogenic Acinetobacter species were detected in these head lice populations, highlighting potential health risks.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Parasitology
- Genetics
Background:
- Head louse infestation (Pediculus humanus capitis) is a global health concern.
- Molecular techniques have identified distinct head louse clades.
- Pathogenic bacteria have been found in head lice, but their presence in Thailand remained uninvestigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the genetic diversity of head lice in Thailand.
- To investigate the presence of pathogenic bacteria, specifically Acinetobacter spp. and Bartonella spp., in Thai head lice.
Main Methods:
- DNA extraction from 275 head louse samples collected across Thailand.
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification of the COI gene for genetic analysis.
- PCR-based detection of Bartonella spp. and Acinetobacter spp., followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.
Main Results:
- Head lice in Thailand were classified into two clades (A and C) based on COI gene sequences.
- Acinetobacter spp. were detected in 3.62% of samples, including A. baumannii, A. radioresistens, and A. schindleri.
- Bartonella spp. were not detected in any samples.
- Acinetobacter spp. were found in both identified head louse clades (A and C).
Conclusions:
- Head lice in Thailand are genetically diverse, falling into clades A and C.
- The presence of pathogenic Acinetobacter spp. in Thai head lice is confirmed.
- Findings may inform future head lice control strategies and raise awareness of lice as potential vectors for nosocomial infections.
