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Purpose <p><i>Pediculus humanus capitis</i> poses a significant public health challenge among schoolchildren worldwide, emphasising the need for control efforts. The present study aimed to integrate epidemiological, morphometric, and mitochondrial genetic data on head lice across diverse regions of Pakistan.</p> Methods <p>A cross-sectional study of 1536 school-aged children was carried out across four districts in Pakistan. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on risk factors. Head lice were morphologically examined and genomic DNA extracted. The mitochondrial markers <i>cox 1</i> and <i>cyt-b</i> were amplified and sequenced.</p> Results <p>The overall prevalence of head lice infestation was 34%. Higher infestation rates were observed among females, children aged 6–10&#xa0;years, those from large families, individuals with a history of previous infestations, and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.0001). Significant behavioral risk factors included sharing combs or towels and infrequent bathing (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.0001). In contrast, protective factors included parental education, urban residence, and access to medical care (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.0001. Morphometric analysis revealed clear sexual dimorphism, with females showing significantly greater total body length, post-antenna head width, pterothoracic width, and antennal length (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.0001). Molecular analysis of <i>cox1</i> and <i>cyt-b</i> genes showed that mitochondrial Clade C was predominant among the Pakistani isolates, indicating genetic links to South Asian and African lineages. One <i>cyt-b</i> sequence (PAK 1) grouped with Clade A, clustering with specimens from Thailand, Iraq, Germany, Laos, and Taiwan, suggesting a distinct lineage.</p> Conclusion <p>This study identifies Pakistan as a potential bridge in the global phylogeography of lice, reflecting both historical and ongoing interregional transmission. These findings contribute to evolutionary and parasitological research and offer a data-driven basis for developing school-based infestation control policies.</p>

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Epidemiological, Morphometric, and Genetic Analysis of Pediculus humanus capitis (Head Lice) in Pakistan: Evidence of Regional Diversity and Global Admixture

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月14日

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  • Muhammad Ilyas,
  • Ayesha Gulzar,
  • Tayyaba Shan,
  • Fazeela Manzoor,
  • Uzma Bibi,
  • Maria Komal,
  • Sabika Firasat,
  • Kiran Afshan

摘要

Purpose

Pediculus humanus capitis poses a significant public health challenge among schoolchildren worldwide, emphasising the need for control efforts. The present study aimed to integrate epidemiological, morphometric, and mitochondrial genetic data on head lice across diverse regions of Pakistan.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of 1536 school-aged children was carried out across four districts in Pakistan. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on risk factors. Head lice were morphologically examined and genomic DNA extracted. The mitochondrial markers cox 1 and cyt-b were amplified and sequenced.

Results

The overall prevalence of head lice infestation was 34%. Higher infestation rates were observed among females, children aged 6–10 years, those from large families, individuals with a history of previous infestations, and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds (p < 0.0001). Significant behavioral risk factors included sharing combs or towels and infrequent bathing (p < 0.0001). In contrast, protective factors included parental education, urban residence, and access to medical care (p < 0.0001. Morphometric analysis revealed clear sexual dimorphism, with females showing significantly greater total body length, post-antenna head width, pterothoracic width, and antennal length (p < 0.0001). Molecular analysis of cox1 and cyt-b genes showed that mitochondrial Clade C was predominant among the Pakistani isolates, indicating genetic links to South Asian and African lineages. One cyt-b sequence (PAK 1) grouped with Clade A, clustering with specimens from Thailand, Iraq, Germany, Laos, and Taiwan, suggesting a distinct lineage.

Conclusion

This study identifies Pakistan as a potential bridge in the global phylogeography of lice, reflecting both historical and ongoing interregional transmission. These findings contribute to evolutionary and parasitological research and offer a data-driven basis for developing school-based infestation control policies.