Lousy Louse

A single dose of ivermectin was very effective in a heavily infested population.

Head lice infestations continue to plague the world's children. In a recent study in India, more than 80% of 534 primary school children aged 6 to 10 years were infested. What to do?

Investigators treated children with one of four regimens:

Group 1: 6 mg/kg diethylcarbamazine (DEC)
Group 2: DEC + 400 mg/person albendazole (ALB)
Group 3: DEC + 200µ g/kg ivermectin (IVM)
Group 4: IVM + ALB

The treated children were examined after 15, 45, 60, and 75 days. At 15 days, IVM recipients (treatment groups 3 and 4) had prevalence rates of lice of 3% and 4%, respectively, but recipients of non-IVM regimens (treatment groups 1 and 2) had prevalence rates of 85% and 78%. However, prevalence rates increased at subsequent evaluations in all treatment groups, re…

Reviewing Author

Mark V. Dahl, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Ulthera, Inc.; AuBio LifeSciences, LLC; Paris Therapeutics

Equity Elorac, Inc.; Makucell, Inc.; Paris Therapeutics

Editorial boards UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societiesNational Rosacea Society (Chairman, Medical Board)

Mark V. Dahl, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Ulthera, Inc.; AuBio LifeSciences, LLC; Paris Therapeutics

Equity Elorac, Inc.; Makucell, Inc.; Paris Therapeutics

Editorial boards UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societiesNational Rosacea Society (Chairman, Medical Board)