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Head lice


Head lice
Photo Information
Copyright: didier garnier (ddg) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 883 W: 23 N: 930] (5015)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-05-17
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon Coolpix 5000
Details: Tripod: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2005-11-11 11:08
Viewed: 2100
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [French]
Sorry for my absence on TN since several days, but my computer broke down and I must to format the hard disk and all to reinstall !!!
Head Lice (Pediculus Humanus Capitis)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Genus: Pediculus humanus (capitis)
Head lice are ecto-parasites (surface creatures living off a human host). These wingless six legged creatures measure 1.0 - 3.0 mm, and are naturally grey in colour. Early infestations are usually found near the hairline (especially the retro-auricular and nuchal regions). The insects require warmth and a source of human blood to survive. The female may produce a total of 300 ova in a lifetime (9-12 per day). The louse possesses a flattened jointed body with jointed limbs (Arthropoda), each leg is equiped with a claw by which it clings to hairshafts. It has two antennae.
Infestated patients usually present with irritation. Diagnosis is confirmed by the presence of the insects or ova (syn. nits or eggs).
Infestations occur without regard to social status or levels of personal cleanliness. Long haired caucasian female children from crowded environments are at greatest risk. Fastidiously clean hair provides no immunity to infestation. Adults are significantly less vulnerable to infestation.
Transmission is mainly by direct contact - head to head, sharing headwear, combs and brushes. Head lice survive on combs brushes, chair backs, hats, scarves for up to 48 hours. As they do not survive off-host beyond this period, fumigation or spraying premises is probably unnecessary.
The Pediculus 'welds' it's Ova (egg or 'nit') onto the hair shaft approx. 2-4 mm above scalp level. Ova hatch within 5-8 days. The vacated 'shell' remains attached to the hair shaft and becomes increasingly distanced from scalp level due to hair growth at the nominal 1-2 cm per month.
Ova cannot be removed by shampooing, but may sometimes be combed off the hairshaft at its distal end.
Symptoms: irritation scratching and possible secondary bacteriol infection. See:http://www.hairscientists.org/pediculus-capitis.htm
The photographs are obtained from Nikon Coolpix 5000 placed on the photo tube of the microscope Zeiss ( Standard Universal).
gerhardt, Luc, petrudamsa, marhowie, red45 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Fisher Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1540 W: 309 N: 2234] (8915)
  • [2005-11-11 11:21]

Hi Didier,

Excellent presentation and well done on this shot. Excellent work.

Mike

You have access to a fild that most of us don't: microphotography. The photos are spectacular and so different that all other we see around here. And the note is very complete.

bonjour didier
belle photo et bon travail.
laurent

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2385 W: 50 N: 3186] (10922)
  • [2005-11-12 7:44]

Woooow ! Belle et intéressante super-macro bien réalisée ! Je n'avais jamais ce petit monstre... Compliments Didier, merci pour le partage et la note en français.

Great post Didier. Very interesting shot showing excellent detail in this VERY small lice. It's not a very pleasant fact but I know that there are mites this size that are making residence in my bed right now! :-( Well done my friend! Thank You.

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2816 W: 75 N: 7977] (26973)
  • [2005-11-12 12:32]

Didier, another excellent post! I love your photos from microscope. This one is no exception. Subject isn't maybe 'beautifull', but very interesting. Note also. Great work!

Very interesting capture, Didier. Well done.

  • Great 
  • cedryk Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 969 W: 57 N: 1662] (5072)
  • [2005-11-24 17:39]

Hello Didier,

A very nice micro-shot. It's a pitty you could diffuse the light more to avoid the overexposure in the middle.
Otherwise a great, informative shot! Perfect note as well.
Best greetings,

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