title: Risk factors for human lice and bartonellosis among the homeless, San Francisco, California, USA.
abstract: Homeless persons in San Francisco, California, USA,have been shown to have head and body lice infestations and Bartonella quintana infections. We surveyed a self selected population of homeless persons in San Francisco to assess infestations of head and body lice, risks of having body lice, and presence of B. quintana in lice. A total of 203 persons who reported itching were surveyed during 2008-2010 and 2012: 60 (30%) had body lice, 10 (4.9%)had head lice, and 6 (3.0%) had both. B. quintana was detected in 10 (15.9%) of 63 body lice pools and in 6 (37.5%)of 16 head lice pools. Variables significantly associated(p<0.05) with having body lice in this homeless population included male sex, African-American ethnicity, and sleeping outdoors. Our study findings suggest that specific segments of the homeless population would benefit from information on preventing body lice infestations and louse borne diseases.
authors.forename: Denise L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Bonilla
authors.forename: Charsey
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cole-Porse
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kjemtrup
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Osikowicz
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kosoy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001474:Bartonella Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons; D006801:Humans; D010373:Lice Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012495:San Francisco / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult