Difference between revisions of "Lice"

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==Phthiraptera introduction==
 
[[Image:Arthropod classifiation.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Arthropod Classification - copyright nabrown RVC]]
 
Lice are obligate ectoparasites of every avian and most mammalian species. They are only a few millimeters long and like [[Fleas - WikiBlood|fleas]], are wingless but unlike [[Fleas - WikiBlood|fleas]] are dorsoventrally flattened.
 
 
 
Lice are host specific, permanent parasites which cause [[Parasitic skin infections-Pathology#Lice|pediculosis]]. The louse saliva and faeces contain allergenic substances which cause irritation, rubbing, licking and skin damage leading to decreased host productivity.
 
 
 
Mammalian lice species have a single pair of claws on the ends of stout legs, whereas avian lice species have a double claw on each leg.
 
 
 
There are two main groups of veterinary importance, the mallophaga (chewing lice) and anoplura (sucking lice).
 
 
 
==Mallophaga==
 
''Also known as '''chewing lice''' or '''biting lice''' ''
 
 
 
*Broad head
 
 
 
*Thorax narrower than the head
 
 
 
*Rasping mouthparts
 
 
 
*Feeds on epithelial scales, scabs, feathers and other bodily debris
 
 
 
*Species occur on both mammals and birds
 
 
 
==Anoplura==
 
[[Image:Sucking Louse.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Sucking Louse ''Pediculosis humanus'' - From: Genetic Analysis of Lice Supports Direct Contact between Modern and Archaic Humans Reed DL, Smith VS, Hammond SL, Rogers AR, Clayton DH PLoS Biology Vol. 2, No. 11, e340 doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.0020340]]
 
''Also known as '''sucking lice''' ''
 
 
 
*Narrow head
 
 
 
*Thorax wider than the head
 
 
 
*Powerful legs
 
 
 
*Piercing mouthparts
 
 
 
*Feed on blood and tissue fluids
 
 
 
*Heavy infestations can cause anaemia
 
 
 
*Species occur only on mammals
 
 
 
==Life Cycle==
 
 
 
*The whole life cycle takes 2-3 weeks
 
 
 
*The louse spends its whole life on the animal
 
**It can however survive for one week off the animal
 
 
 
*In some species parthenogenesis can occur
 
 
 
*Close contact transmission can occur
 
 
 
'''1. Eggs'''
 
 
 
*Known as nits
 
 
 
*Cemented to hairs
 
 
 
'''2. Nymphs'''
 
 
 
*Nymphs hatch from the egg (no larval stage)
 
 
 
*Undergoes several moults
 
 
 
'''3. Adults'''
 
 
 
*Females can lay up to 10 eggs per day
 
 
 
==Pediculosis==
 
 
 
*Pediculosis is an infestation of lice
 
 
 
*Pediculosis in farm animals is most often seen in winter when the coat is thickest
 
 
 
*Debilitated animals are often lousy as they cannot groom properly
 
 
 
===Cattle===
 
 
 
*One chewing louse
 
**''Bovicola bovis''
 
 
 
*Several sucking lice
 
**E.g. ''Linognathus vituli''
 
 
 
*Most lice have a preferred predilection site on the body
 
 
 
*Some lice will gather in clusters
 
 
 
*Causes ill-thrift, anaemia and can lead to down-graded leather
 
 
 
===Sheep===
 
 
 
*One chewing louse
 
**''Damalinia ovis''
 
 
 
*Two sucking lice
 
**''Lignognathus'' spp.
 
***The 'foot louse' and the 'face louse'
 
 
 
*Causes fleece damage
 
 
 
===Pigs===
 
 
 
*One sucking louse
 
**''Haematopinus suis''
 
**Large 5mm louse which is easily visible on the skin
 
**Vector of African swine fever virus and rickettsiae
 
 
 
===Horses===
 
 
 
*One chewing louse
 
**''Damalinia equi''
 
 
 
*One sucking louse
 
**''Haematopinus asini''
 
 
 
*Mainly in the mane and tail but can spread over the body
 
 
 
===Dogs===
 
 
 
*One chewing louse
 
**''Trichodectes''
 
 
 
*One sucking louse
 
**''Linognathus setosus''
 
 
 
*Neglect is usually associated with heavy infestations
 
 
 
===Cats===
 
 
 
*One chewing louse
 
**''Felicola''
 
 
 
===Poultry===
 
 
 
*Several species of chewing lice
 
**''Lipeurus'' spp. are the most pathogenic
 
***E.g. the 'wing louse' and the 'head louse'
 
**''Menacanthis'' spp. are also pathogenic
 
***Lays its eggs in clusters around the [[The Avian Vent and Cloaca - Anatomy & Physiology|cloaca]]
 
 
 
*No sucking lice
 
 
 
==Control==
 
 
 
*Few insecticides will kill lice eggs on the animal
 
 
 
*Two treatments are needed to kill nymphs emerging from eggs at the time of the initial treatment and those that will emerge 2-3 weeks later
 
**At two week intervals
 
**Or a product with a two week residual activity can be used
 
 
 
Anoplura lice are more susceptible to systemic insecticide treatment than mallophaga lice
 
 
 
*Resistance to insecticides may become a problem so alternating the chemicals used and avoiding pour on treatments (which have a greater risk of resistance developing) should be considered
 
 
 
==[[Insecta Flashcards - WikiBugs#Lice|Lice Flashcards]]==
 

Latest revision as of 23:18, 19 May 2010

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