The lethal effects of high-frequency ultrasound waves in Pediculus humanus capitis (Anoplura: Pediculidae) nymphs and adults

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 50 Sayı: 4, 983 - 995, 22.12.2025

Hakan Kavur , Halil Özkurt , Gülşah Evyapan , Sümeyye Kalkan , Zehra Çelik , Emine Kurcan , Duran Ali Karataş , Fatma Büyükkatran , Davut Alptekin

https://doi.org/10.17826/cumj.1743687

Öz

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of high-frequency ultrasound waves as a non-chemical alternative for controlling head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) by evaluating mortality rates in adult and nymphal stages exposed to various ultrasound frequencies.
Materials and Methods: A total of 1,000 head lice (adults and nymphs) collected from infested children were exposed under controlled laboratory conditions to five ultrasound frequencies (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 MHz) for up to 24 hours. A control group of 200 lice was maintained under the same laboratory conditions without ultrasound exposure. Mortality was recorded at 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours.
Results: Among the 1,000 head lice tested, ultrasonic frequencies of 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 MHz caused the highest mortality, reaching ≥90% in adults and ≥98.3% in nymphs. In contrast, 0.5 MHz produced the lowest mortality (20–21.7%), while the control groups showed only 8.3% (nymphs) and 15.0% (adults) mortality. Most deaths occurred within 8–24 hours post-exposure. Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive relationship between mortality and exposure time (r = 0.710, p < 0.001). ANOVA confirmed significant effects of frequency on mortality (F(5, 330) = 6.845, p < 0.001), with mortality plateauing at 2.5 MHz. Probit regression estimated LT₅₀ values of 12.1–13.4 hours for adults and 15.4–17.6 hours for nymphs at higher frequencies, compared to 22.2 and 27.3 hours, respectively, at 0.5 MHz.
Conclusion: This study is the first to demonstrate the direct effect of ultrasonic sound frequencies on Pediculus humanus capitis. High-frequency ultrasound (1.5–2.5 MHz) effectively controlled head lice without the need for additional chemicals, highlighting its potential as a non-chemical pediculosis management strategy. These findings provide a basis for future research and the development of portable devices, such as hair clips or necklaces, designed to repel or inactivate lice. Incorporating high-frequency ultrasound alongside routine combing may enhance head lice control, and further studies are warranted to optimize device design and exposure parameters.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Pediculus humanus capitis , head lice , ultrasonic frequencies , mortality , pediculosis control , non-chemical methods

Etik Beyan

The study was approved by the ethical committee of Cukurova University Medical School. Furthermore, official permission to conduct the studies in schools was received from the district governorship, informed consent was obtained from the participants.

Destekleyen Kurum

TÜBİTAK

Proje Numarası

219S203

Teşekkür

All authors would like to express their gratitude to the administrations of the three schools in the Karaisalı District of Adana where the head lice screening was conducted.

Pediculus humanus capitis (Anoplura: Pediculidae) nimf ve erginlerinde yüksek frekanslı ultrason dalgalarının öldürücü etkileri

Öz

Amaç: Bu çalışma, baş biti (Pediculus humanus capitis) ile mücadelede kimyasal içermeyen bir alternatif olarak yüksek frekanslı ultrason dalgalarının etkinliğini, farklı frekanslara maruz bırakılan ergin ve nimf evrelerindeki ölüm oranlarını değerlendirerek araştırmayı amaçlamıştır.
Gereç ve Yöntem: Enfeste çocuklardan toplanan toplam 1.000 baş biti (ergin ve nimf) beş farklı ultrason frekansına (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 ve 2.5 MHz) 24 saate kadar maruz bırakıldı. Kontrol grubunu oluşturan 200 bit, aynı koşullarda ancak ultrason uygulanmadan takip edildi. Ölümler 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 ve 24. saatlerde kaydedildi.
Bulgular: Test edilen 1.000 baş biti arasında, 1.5, 2.0 ve 2.5 MHz ultrasonik frekansları en yüksek mortaliteyi oluşturmuş, erginlerde ≥%90, nimflerde ise ≥%98,3’e ulaşmıştır. Buna karşılık, 0.5 MHz en düşük mortaliteyi (%20–21,7) göstermiş, kontrol gruplarında ise mortalite oranı nimflerde %8,3 ve erginlerde %15,0 olarak kalmıştır. En fazla ölüm 8–24 saatlik süre içinde kaydedilmiştir. Korelasyon analizi, mortalite ile maruziyet süresi arasında güçlü pozitif bir ilişki olduğunu göstermiştir (r = 0,710, p < 0,001). ANOVA sonuçları, frekansın mortalite üzerinde anlamlı etkisini doğrulamıştır (F(5, 330) = 6,845, p < 0,001) ve 2,5 MHz’de mortalitenin plato yaptığı gözlenmiştir. Probit regresyon analizinde, yüksek frekanslarda erginler için LT50 değerleri 12,1–13,4 saat, nimfler için ise 15,4–17,6 saat olarak hesaplanmış; bu değerler 0,5 MHz’de sırasıyla 22,2 ve 27,3 saat olarak bulunmuştur.
Sonuç: Bu çalışma, ultrasonik ses frekanslarının Pediculus humanus capitis üzerindeki doğrudan etkisini gösteren ilk çalışmadır. Yüksek frekanslı ultrason (1,5–2,5 MHz), ek kimyasal maddeye ihtiyaç duymadan saç bitlerini etkili bir şekilde kontrol etmiş ve bunun kimyasal olmayan bir pedikülozis yönetim stratejisi olarak potansiyelini ortaya koymuştur. Bu bulgular, saç bitlerini uzaklaştırmak, caydırmak veya etkisiz hâle getirmek amacıyla tasarlanmış saç tokaları veya kolyeler gibi taşınabilir cihazların gelecekteki araştırma ve geliştirme çalışmalarına temel sağlamaktadır. Yüksek frekanslı ultrasonun rutin tarama uygulamalarıyla birlikte kullanılması, saç biti kontrolünü artırabilir ve cihaz tasarımı ile maruz kalma parametrelerini optimize etmek için daha ileri çalışmalara ihtiyaç vardır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Pediculus humanus capitis , baş biti , ultrasonik frekanslar , mortalite , pediküloz kontrolü , kimyasal içermeyen yöntemler

Proje Numarası

219S203

Kaynakça

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