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Gilani M, Anthonappa R. Head lice-induced anemia in a child and implications for oral health: Case report. Spec Care Dentist 2024; 44:761-767. [PMID: 37843406 DOI: 10.1111/scd.12933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Pediculosis capitis, colloquially referred to as head lice, engenders adverse social and economic consequences among children. While generally not considered a health hazard, chronic and severe head lice infestations have been linked to secondary iron-deficiency anemia. This case report documents a 7-year-old girl who presented for dental treatment with a history of social isolation and poor school attendance. Upon examination, the patient was found to have head lice and scabies infestations, resulting in secondary iron-deficiency anemia. The patient could return to full-time education after successful treatment for the head lice infestation administered by the dental team. This case underscores the need for treatment guidelines to manage children with diagnosed or suspected cases of head lice from a dental perspective. In instances of severe infestation, referral to a medical professional may be necessary for further management. This report highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing head lice infestations and its implications on dental management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maleeha Gilani
- Dental School, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Robert Anthonappa
- Dental School, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
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2
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Pérez-Gaxiola G, Velásquez-Salazar P, Veroniki AA, Zambrano-Rico S, Hernández Alcaraz M, Cuello-García CA, Florez ID. Interventions for treating head lice: a network meta-analysis. Hippokratia 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd014735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Pamela Velásquez-Salazar
- Evidence and Deliberation Unit for Decision Making - UNED; University of Antioquia; Medellín Colombia
| | | | | | | | - Carlos A Cuello-García
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact; McMaster University; Hamilton Canada
| | - Ivan D Florez
- Department of Pediatrics; University of Antioquia; Medellín Colombia
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Fustino NJ, Waddell JP, Panzer ZR. A 12-Year-old Girl With Chronic Pediculosis Infestation Presenting With Severe Iron Deficiency Anemia. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2022; 44:e804-6. [PMID: 34486551 DOI: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000002293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Iron deficiency is the leading etiology of anemia worldwide. Excessive cow's milk intake and menorrhagia are the most common etiologies in the pediatric population in the United States, with parasitic infections a more common cause in lower-resource countries. Here we present a case of a 12-year-old female in the midwestern United States with severe iron deficiency anemia (hemoglobin 4.7 g/dL) and chronic pediculosis infestation. Anemia resolved with transfusion, iron supplementation, and eradication of the parasite. We believe this is the only reported case of a child in the United States with severe iron deficiency anemia secondary to chronic severe lice infestation.
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Kositz C, Bradley J, Hutchins H, Last A, D'Alessandro U, Marks M. Broadening the range of use cases for ivermectin - a review of the evidence. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2021; 116:201-212. [PMID: 34323283 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trab114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ivermectin is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic agent that interferes with glutamate-gated chloride channels found in invertebrates but not in vertebrate species. Mass drug administration (MDA) with ivermectin-based regimes has been a mainstay of elimination efforts targeting onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis for more than 3 decades. More recently, interest in the use of ivermectin to control other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) such as soil-transmitted helminths and scabies has grown. Interest has been further stimulated by the fact that ivermectin displays endectocidal efficacy against various Anopheles species capable of transmitting malaria. Therefore there is growing interest in using ivermectin MDA as a tool that might aid in the control of both malaria and several NTDs. In this review we outline the evidence base to date on these emerging indications for ivermectin MDA with reference to clinical and public health data and discuss the rationale for evaluating the range of impacts of a malaria ivermectin MDA on other NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Kositz
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, WC1E 7HT, London, UK
| | - John Bradley
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, WC1E 7HT, London, UK
| | - Harry Hutchins
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, WC1E 7HT, London, UK
| | - Anna Last
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, WC1E 7HT, London, UK.,Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Mortimer Market Capper Street, WC1E 6JB, London, UK
| | - Umberto D'Alessandro
- Disease Control and Elimination, Medical Research Council Unit Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - Michael Marks
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, WC1E 7HT, London, UK.,Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Mortimer Market Capper Street, WC1E 6JB, London, UK
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Hersh AV, Wirkowski S, McMillon B, Balderston A, Hamelink A, McGowan K. A Case of Severe Iron Deficiency Anemia Due to Pediculus Capitis. Clin Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2021. [DOI: 10.15264/cpho.2021.28.1.46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Alexis Hamelink
- Department of Pharmacy, Norton Children’s Hospital, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Kerry McGowan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Norton Children’s Hospital, Louisville, KY, USA
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Nara A, Nagai H, Yamaguchi R, Makino Y, Chiba F, Yoshida KI, Yajima D, Iwase H. An unusual autopsy case of lethal hypothermia exacerbated by body lice-induced severe anemia. Int J Legal Med 2015; 130:765-9. [PMID: 26384507 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-015-1266-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Pediculus humanus humanus (known as body lice) are commonly found in the folds of clothes, and can cause skin disorders when they feed on human blood, resulting in an itching sensation. Body lice are known as vectors of infectious diseases, including typhus, recurrent fever, and trench fever. An infestation with blood-sucking body lice induces severe cutaneous pruritus, and this skin disorder is known as "vagabond's disease." A body lice infestation is sometimes complicated with iron deficiency anemia. In the present case, a man in his late 70s died of lethal hypothermia in the outdoors during the winter season. The case history and autopsy findings revealed that the cause of the lethal hypothermia was iron deficiency anemia, which was associated with a prolonged infestation of blood-sucking body lice. Also, he had vagabond's disease because the skin on his body was abnormal and highly pigmented. This is an unusual autopsy case since the body lice contributed to the cause of the death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akina Nara
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan. .,Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan.
| | - Hisashi Nagai
- Department of Legal Medicine (Forensic Medicine), Keio University School of Medicine, 35, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Rutsuko Yamaguchi
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.,Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Yohsuke Makino
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.,Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Fumiko Chiba
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.,Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Ken-ichi Yoshida
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8402, Japan
| | - Daisuke Yajima
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.,Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Hirotaro Iwase
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.,Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
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Hau V, Muhi-Iddin N. A ghost covered in lice: a case of severe blood loss with long-standing heavy pediculosis capitis infestation. BMJ Case Rep 2014; 2014:bcr-2014-206623. [PMID: 25527684 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2014-206623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
An 11-year-old child presented with poor school attendance, and signs and symptoms of severe anaemia. He was heavily covered in lice. He was investigated for other causes of anaemia. Following treatment for head lice and also iron supplementation, he was back in full-time education. This case highlights the link between head lice (pediculosis capitis) infestation and iron-deficiency anaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Hau
- Department of Paediatrics, Conquest Hospital, East Sussex, UK
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