title: Evaluation of efficacy of four pediculicides against head louse (Pediculus capitis) infestation.
abstract: To evaluate the efficacy and to determine the minimum effective dosage of four pediculicides against head louse infestation, as well as to select a safe, effective, practical, and cheap agent, 1,657 infested school children in 25 primary schools in Szu-Hu, Kou-Hu, and Ku-Keng Districts of Yunlin County were treated and 1,611 of them were examined. The overall cure rate was 73% and the rate for boys (84%) was higher than that for girls (71%). The cure rate of Nix (permethrin 1%) cream rinse was 81%. The cure rate for single dosages of 1, 2, 3 and 4 cases/tube (56 gm/tube) was 87%, 83%, 81% and 71%, respectively. The cure rate of Para aerosol (bioallethrine 0.66%) was 78%. The cure rate for single dosages of 30 and 40 cases/tube (90 gm/tube) was 87% and 70%, respectively. The cure rate of Prioderm (malathion 1%) cream shampoo was 64%. The cure rate for single dosages of 10, 15 and 20 cases/tube (40 gm/tube) was 74%, 71% and 52%, respectively. The cure rate of Delice (1% gamma benzene hexachloride) was 71%. The cure rate for single dosages of 5 and 10 ml/case was 64% and 76%, respectively. Of the 226 infested girls, 181 (80%) were found to be infested with 1-10 head lice, 33 (15%) with 11-50 lice, 7(3%) with 51-100 lice and 5 (2%) with over 100 lice. Of the 2,160 head lice collected, 1,788 (83%) were nymphs, 284 (13%) females, and 88 (4%) males. The mean number of head lice in each infested girl was 10 (range 1-137). The low cure rates obtained in the present study may be due to the fact that many school girl & have long hair. In comparison, Nix had the highest cure rate (81%) but the highest price (NT$ 120/case). The cure rate and price of Para aerosol (78%, NT$ 7.2/case) and Delice (71%, NT$ 16.7/case) came next. Prioderm (64%, NT$ 10.0/case) had the lowest rate and a slight offensive smell. Preliminary trials show that based on the cost-effectiveness, Para aerosol is best in head louse infestation control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, National Yangming Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chow
mesh_terms: D000487:Allethrins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010373:Lice Infestations / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008294:Malathion / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D026023:Permethrin; D008003:Phthiraptera / Q000187:drug effects; D011722:Pyrethrins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012535:Scalp
chemical_list: D000487:Allethrins; D011722:Pyrethrins; D026023:Permethrin; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane; C018465:bioallethrin; D008294:Malathion