The timing of head lice maturation most favorable to their survival in the presence of anti-lice agents is the maximum time as an ovum (12 days) and the shortest possible time of maturing from newly hatched nymph to egg-laying adult (8.5 days). Pediculicides that are not reliably ovicidal (pyrethroids and lindane) require 2 to 3 treatment cycles to eradicate lice. Ovicidal therapies (malathion) require 1 to 2 treatments. Treatment with an agent to which there is genetic resistance is unproductive. In the United States, lice have become increasingly resistant to pyrethroids and lindane but not to malathion. Treatment with malathion has favorable efficacy and safety profiles and enables the immediate, safe return to school. Nit combing can be performed adjunctively. No-nit policies should be rendered obsolete.
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May 2007
I was astounded to read this obviously biased article in Pediatrics. While it is entirely possible that Ovide should be the preferred treatment for head lice, I am unable to discern what information to trust at face value, since the article is written by someone who is a major shareholder and vice president of the company that makes and sells Ovide for $125 per bottle. I am surprised that Pediatrics allowed a pharmaceutical company to basically write a 9 page ad in the guise of a review article. As I first read the article, I thought to myself, "Wow, this sounds like someone involved with Ovide wrote it," but I never thought that would actually be true. AFTER I read the article, I looked at the title and saw the disclosure in itsy bitsy font, and realized that I had just wasted my time reading this article.
Conflict of Interest:
None declared
"The former faired worse than malathion applied at days 0 and 7,36 whereas the latter faired better compared with malathion or permethrin single-use therapy. "
I don't think the authors intended to use the word "fair." I'm also fairly sure that Pediatrics employs editors.
Leonard Levy, MD 6836 E. Genesee Street Fayetteville, NY 13066
Conflict of Interest:
None declared