Journal of Medical Entomology (2017) 54, 1025-1030

Gustavo Ponce-Garcia, Karina Villanueva-Segura, Gerardo Trujillo-Rodriguez, Iram P. Rodriguez-Sanchez, Beatriz Lopez-Monroy and Adriana E. Flores (2017)
First detection of the kdr mutation T929I in head lice (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) in schoolchildren of the metropolitan area of Nuevo Leon and Yucatan, Mexico
Journal of Medical Entomology 54 (4), 1025-1030
Abstract: The head louse Pediculus humanus capitis (De Geer) is a hematophagous ectoparasite that inhabits the human scalp. Infestations by this insect are commonly known as pediculosis, which is more common in younger groups. These infestations are asymptomatic; however, skin irritation from scratching occasionally may cause secondary bacterial infections. In recent years, the prevalence of pediculosis has increased in children; this increase has been attributed to louse resistance to the insecticides used as a control measure for infestation. The aim of the present study was to determine the presence and frequency of the knockdown resistance mutation (kdr) T929I in 468 head lice collected from 32 elementary schools in the metropolitan area of Nuevo Leon (24) and Yucatan (8), Mexico. This is the first report of a knockdown resistance (kdr) mechanism in head lice from Mexico. The T929I mutation was present in all of the sampled schools, with variability observed in its allelic and genotypic frequencies.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Adriana E. Flores

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
pesticide resistance of pest

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Pediculus humanus		Mexico