t - New York Civil Liberties Union

104
Union-Endicott
Department of Medical
Entomology
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Pubic Lice
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• Natural History
• Clinical· Presentation
• Laboratory Diagnosis
.7
• Treatment and
Control
• Confirmation and
Enquiries
modified
from: Service, M.W. (1980). A guide to Medical
Entomology. Macmillan. London.
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Natural History
Pubic lice, or Pihlrue pubis, are commonly referred to as crab lice or simply 'crabs'. This
name has come from the crab-like appearance and slower movement compared to
other lice,such as the head louse, Pediculus capitis and the body louse, Pediculus
humanus that can infest humans. Pubic lice are found worldwide, they are
haematophagous (feeds on blood), and strictly host specific to humans. Typically, they
infest the hair of the pubic and perianal regions but are occasionally found in other
areas where the hair is sparse and coarse. This includes the hair of the beard,
moustache, eyelashes, armpits, and sometimes the chest and abdomen. The hair on
the scalp is usually unsuitable, because of its fine texture closeness of the shafts, but
pubic lice are occasionally found at margins of the head on the hairline. If children are
infested, the lice will generally be found only in the eyebrows ·or eyelashes.