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[Metal microchanelled fine-toothed comb use in the diagnosis of pediculosis].
An Bras Dermatol. 2009 Nov-Dec; 84(6):615-21.AB

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Methods for the diagnosis of Pediculus humanus var. capitis are controversial and most studies are based on direct visual exam.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to compare the diagnosis efficacy of both direct visual exam and the use of a metal microchanelled fine-toothed comb.

METHODS

946 children and teenagers 4 to 19 years of age were examined. Each individual's hair was examined twice to determine whether there was infestation by lice or nits, through direct visual exam and the use of a metal microchanelled fine-toothed comb.

RESULTS

The visual diagnosis detected infestation in 30.7% of the cases, while the metal comb detected infestation in 51.5%. Females were the most affected. The forms of parasites detected through direct visual exam were: only lice (adults and/or nymphs) 1.4%, only live nits 64.8% and live nits and lice, 33.8%; with the metal comb the percentages were 6.4%, 23.6% and 70%, respectively. The average time to find a louse was 57 seconds with the fine-toothed comb and 116.4 seconds through the direct visual exam.

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnosis with the microchanelled fine-toothed comb is twice as fast and 3.6 times more efficient than through direct visual exam.The direct visual exam detects non-active, past infestations, and underestimates active ones.

Authors+Show Affiliations

Neira PE
Departamento de Preclínicas, Universidad de Valparaíso, Chile.
Molina LR
No affiliation info available
Correa AX
No affiliation info available
Américo Muñoz NR
No affiliation info available
Oschilewski DE
No affiliation info available

MeSH

AdolescentAnimalsChildChild, PreschoolEquipment DesignFemaleHumansLice InfestationsMalePediculusScalp DermatosesSkin CareYoung Adult

Pub Type(s)

Comparative Study
English Abstract
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

por

PubMed ID

20191173

Citation

Neira, Patricia Elena, et al. "[Metal Microchanelled Fine-toothed Comb Use in the Diagnosis of Pediculosis]." Anais Brasileiros De Dermatologia, vol. 84, no. 6, 2009, pp. 615-21.
Neira PE, Molina LR, Correa AX, et al. [Metal microchanelled fine-toothed comb use in the diagnosis of pediculosis]. An Bras Dermatol. 2009;84(6):615-21.
Neira, P. E., Molina, L. R., Correa, A. X., Américo Muñoz, N. R., & Oschilewski, D. E. (2009). [Metal microchanelled fine-toothed comb use in the diagnosis of pediculosis]. Anais Brasileiros De Dermatologia, 84(6), 615-21.
Neira PE, et al. [Metal Microchanelled Fine-toothed Comb Use in the Diagnosis of Pediculosis]. An Bras Dermatol. 2009 Nov-Dec;84(6):615-21. PubMed PMID: 20191173.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - [Metal microchanelled fine-toothed comb use in the diagnosis of pediculosis]. AU - Neira,Patricia Elena, AU - Molina,Luis Rodrigo, AU - Correa,Alejandra Ximena, AU - Américo Muñoz,Nelson Ramón, AU - Oschilewski,David Eduardo, PY - 2008/08/11/received PY - 2008/12/08/accepted PY - 2010/3/2/entrez PY - 2010/3/2/pubmed PY - 2010/7/1/medline SP - 615 EP - 21 JF - Anais brasileiros de dermatologia JO - An Bras Dermatol VL - 84 IS - 6 N2 - BACKGROUND: Methods for the diagnosis of Pediculus humanus var. capitis are controversial and most studies are based on direct visual exam. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the diagnosis efficacy of both direct visual exam and the use of a metal microchanelled fine-toothed comb. METHODS: 946 children and teenagers 4 to 19 years of age were examined. Each individual's hair was examined twice to determine whether there was infestation by lice or nits, through direct visual exam and the use of a metal microchanelled fine-toothed comb. RESULTS: The visual diagnosis detected infestation in 30.7% of the cases, while the metal comb detected infestation in 51.5%. Females were the most affected. The forms of parasites detected through direct visual exam were: only lice (adults and/or nymphs) 1.4%, only live nits 64.8% and live nits and lice, 33.8%; with the metal comb the percentages were 6.4%, 23.6% and 70%, respectively. The average time to find a louse was 57 seconds with the fine-toothed comb and 116.4 seconds through the direct visual exam. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis with the microchanelled fine-toothed comb is twice as fast and 3.6 times more efficient than through direct visual exam.The direct visual exam detects non-active, past infestations, and underestimates active ones. SN - 1806-4841 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/20191173/[Metal_microchanelled_fine_toothed_comb_use_in_the_diagnosis_of_pediculosis]_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -