The biology and taxonomy of head and body lice--implications for louse-borne disease prevention

Selected morphological and biological differences between human head and body lice. Because of somewhat effective treatment options and increased societal standards for clothing and body hygiene, body lice are currently quite rare in most developed countries [9]. The number of homeless persons has increased significantly in recent decades, and the medical welfare of these people can be difficult to monitor for various reasons [10]. Since homeless persons may not have a change of clothing or be able to adequately delouse their clothes, their garb provides nourishing and unique environments needed for deposition and maintenance of body louse eggs [9], [10].