Comparative efficacy of commercial combs in removing head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae)

ANABELLA GALLARDO; ARIEL TOLOZA ; CLAUDIA VASSENA; MARÍA INÉS PICOLLO; GASTÓN MOUGABURE-CUETO

PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH

SPRINGER

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2013 vol. 112 p. 1363 - 1366

0932-0113

The use of a fine comb for removing lice from thehead of the human host is a relevant tool both in the diagnosisof infestations and as part of an integrated control strategy ofhead lice. The effectiveness of a fine comb depends, in part, onthe design and material they are built. The aim of this studywas to compare in vivo the efficacy ofmetal and plastic combsthat are currently used in the removal of head lice and eggsworldwide. The space between comb teeth and the length was0.23 and 13 mm in KSL® plastic, 0.3 and 10.7 mm inNOPUCID® plastic, 0.15 and 31 mm in KSL® metal and0.09 and 37 mmin ASSY® metal. The assays were performedcomparing the combs in pairs: (a) KSL® vs. NOPUCID®plastic combs, (b) KSL® vs. ASSY® metal combs and (c)KSL® plastic comb vs. ASSY® metal comb. The most effectiveplastic comb was KSL®, removing a higher number ofindividuals of all stages. The most effective metal comb wasASSY®, removing more insects of all stages (except adults).The comparative test between KSL® plastic and ASSY®metal showed that ASSY® was the most effective in removinghead lice and their eggs