Virginia Beach Head Lice Company Participates in Lice Product Resistance Study

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Nov. 25, 2013 - PRLog -- Virginia Beach Head Lice company Let's Be P.A.L.S has been asked to participate in a research study project being conducted by The Massachusetts Pesticide Analysis Laboratory (MPAL), directed by John M. Clark, Ph.D & Lice Solutions Resource Network, Inc. out of West Palm Beach, FL which will help us better understand product resistance problems and how they vary from state to state in the U.S.  Julie Burbank the founder of the only Virgnia Beach based Head Lice company said "I am so excited to participate in this study. This will help us understand the 'Super Lice' epidemic, which has many parents very concerned. The OTC treatments just aren't successful in killing all of the live bugs anymore.We get calls all the time from clients who just used an OTC and are still pulling live bugs from the hair. If we understand the process better I think it will help us to maintain control over the current "Super" head lice problem and bring to light the misuse of the OTC products"

Purpose of this Study: Pediculosis, caused by human head lice, is one of the most common infestations of humans in the world, particularly affecting school-aged children. Across the globe, people find head lice to be intolerable and apply over-the-counter pediculicides (insecticides used for louse control) without realizing the potential side-effects of misuse. Resistance to pyrethroid-based pediculicides (e.g., Nix®) is spread worldwide and is increasing in frequency. Nix® contains a pyrethroid insecticide named permethrin, which acts at the voltagesensitive sodium channel in the louse nervous system. Knockdown resistance (kdr) is due to 3 different mutations in the sodium channel gene and is a major factor in all pyrethroid-resistant lice studied to date. In its mutated state, the altered sodium channel is relatively unaffected by pyrethroid insecticides, and this insensitivity results in resistance. Detection of the resistance is crucial in making decisions for effective louse control and resistance management.

Dr. John Clark at the Massachusetts Pesticide Analysis Laboratory has developed a population genotyping method called Quantitative Sequencing (QS) to determine kdr frequencies and plans to use this method in their current study. Their goal is to generate a data set that includes resistance frequency information from 150 collection sites across all 48 continental US states. They will use this data to construct a map that shows the prevalence and distribution of the kdr mutations, in order to monitor and develop efficient strategies for resistance management.

Description of Project :

Louse samples will be shipped to MPAL for genetic analysis. Once the louse samples have reached the facility, the DNA will be extracted, processed, and then analyzed by Quantitative Sequencing (QS) to determine the resistance allele ratios from within the collection area.

If you are in Virginia Beach or the surrounding areas Norfolk or Chesapeake Virginia and are experiencing a case of "Super Lice" call the only Virginia Beach based Head Lice Treatment service Let's Be P.A.L.S not only will you finally get rid of lice but you might just be helping by particiapting in a study on Super Lice.  Call Today for a FREE phone Consultation 757-769-8639 or visit the website http://www.virginiabeachlicetreatment.com

Resources:

John M. Clark, Ph.D.
University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Lice Solutions Resource Network, Inc.
6758 North Military Trail, Suite #110
West Palm Beach, FL  33407