Visual Inspection vs. Wet Combing for Detecting Lice Infection

Head lice are a common nuisance in school-age children, and annual rates might be as high as 2400 new cases per 10,000 children. Determining the most accurate method of diagnosis could help prevent widespread infection and unnecessary school absences.

Researchers assessed the accuracy of visual inspection and wet combing for diagnosis of lice and eggs or nits in 300 children (age range, 6–12 years) in classes affected by lice infestation at five schools in Germany. The children first underwent visual inspection of the most common sites for lice infestation — on the temples, behind the ears, and on the neck. Lice, eggs, and nits that were found were removed. Children then underwent wet combing with a head lice comb by an investigator blinded …