title: Scanning electron microscopic examination of the egg of the pubic louse (Anoplura: Pthirus pubis).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to examine the eggs of pubic lice with consideration of their clinical relevance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pubic lice eggs were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The egg is totally encased by a proteinaceous sheath, except for the operculum, by which oxygen exchange occurs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pubic lice have proved resilient to human therapies through the ages. The anatomical target of topical insecticides for ovicidal kill is the operculum and the protective layers that surround the developing embryo. More research into these structures is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Biosciences, Pathology, and Medicine, Medical College of Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Burkhart
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gunning
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Burkhart
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000854:Anoplura / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010063:Ovum / Q000648:ultrastructure*