Pediculus humanus corporis

Pediculus humanus corporis, commonly known as the body louse or clothing louse, is a louse that infests humans. It is one of the three types of lice that specifically live on humans; the other two are Pediculus humanus capitis (the head louse) and Pthirus pubis (the pubic louse). The body louse lives in clothing and moves to the skin to feed. It is an important vector for the transmission of diseases, including typhus, trench fever, and relapsing fever.

Biology and Lifecycle

The lifecycle of Pediculus humanus corporis consists of three stages: egg (nit), nymph, and adult. Eggs are laid and attached to the fibers of clothing or, less commonly, to body hair. They hatch into nymphs after about one week. Nymphs mature into adults in about 7 days, after which they can reproduce. The entire lifecycle from egg to adult can be completed in about 18 days, depending on environmental conditions. Adults can live up to 30 days on a host. Unlike the head louse, the body louse can survive for up to two days without feeding on a host.

Transmission

Transmission of Pediculus humanus corporis occurs primarily through direct contact with infested clothing, bedding, or towels. It is more common in crowded and unhygienic living conditions, where personal hygiene is difficult to maintain, and clothing is not regularly changed or laundered. Body lice infestations are not necessarily an indication of poor personal hygiene but can occur in any situation where there is crowding and lack of access to regular laundering.

Health Implications

Body lice are vectors for several bacterial diseases. The most notable of these are:

• Epidemic typhus caused by Rickettsia prowazekii
• Trench fever caused by Bartonella quintana
• Relapsing fever caused by Borrelia recurrentis

These diseases are transmitted when infected louse feces are scratched into the skin or mucous membranes. Epidemic typhus, in particular, has been responsible for millions of deaths in times of war and famine. Today, these diseases are much less common but can still occur in areas with poor living conditions.

Prevention and Control

Prevention of body louse infestations involves improving living conditions, such as reducing crowding and ensuring access to regular laundering of clothing and bedding. Personal hygiene, while important, is less effective in preventing infestation compared to head lice, as body lice live in clothing. Insecticides can be used to treat infested clothing, and in cases of disease transmission, appropriate antibiotic treatment is necessary.

See Also

• Louse
• Pediculosis
• Public health