Seropositivity against pediculosis in children with cervical lymphadenopathy

Unlike most arthropod ectoparasites, all human lice spend their entire lives on their hosts. This paper aimed to study the correlation between lice infestation and lymphadenopathy on one hand, and the serum levels of immunoglobulins on the other hand. The association of lymphadenopathy (cervical) and lice infestation is explained by the fact that lymph nodes are stimulated as part of an immune response evoked by the saliva secreted by lice. A marked correlation was found between high serum levels of IgE and pediculous children with cervical lymphadenopathy. This may suggest a new aetiological factor for the enlargement of lymph nodes in Egyptian children.