What do clothing lice transmit? - briefly
Clothing (body) lice transmit Bartonella quintana (trench fever), Rickettsia prowazekii (epidemic typhus), and Borrelia recurrentis (louse‑borne relapsing fever).
What do clothing lice transmit? - in detail
Clothing lice, also known as body lice (Pediculus humanus corporis), are vectors for several bacterial agents that cause serious illnesses. The primary pathogens they transmit include:
- Rickettsia prowazekii – the causative organism of epidemic (louse‑borne) typhus. Transmission occurs when infected lice are crushed against the skin, releasing the bacteria into superficial wounds.
- Borrelia recurrentis – responsible for louse‑borne relapsing fever. The spirochete is introduced into the bloodstream through contaminated feces that are scratched into the skin.
- Bartonella quintana – the agent of trench fever. Infection follows similar mechanical inoculation from lice feces or crushed bodies.
These bacteria survive within the louse gut and are excreted in feces, which serve as the infectious medium. Human infection typically follows poor hygiene conditions that favor heavy infestations, such as overcrowded shelters, refugee camps, or homelessness. The disease course varies: epidemic typhus presents with high fever, rash, and severe complications if untreated; relapsing fever produces recurrent episodes of fever and headache; trench fever leads to prolonged fever, bone pain, and possible chronic fatigue.
Control measures focus on eliminating the ectoparasite through regular laundering of clothing at temperatures above 50 °C, personal hygiene, and use of insecticidal powders. Prompt antibiotic therapy—doxycycline for typhus and relapsing fever, azithromycin for trench fever—reduces morbidity and prevents further spread.