[Lice in Mali: frequency of infestation, genotyping, infection rate and case management].

OBJECTIVES:Because lice-transmitted infections are a real public health problem, epidemiological studies in different ecoclimatic zones of Africa are useful. This article aims to describe the frequency of lice infestation, their genotypes, and their infection by pathogens in the regions of Koulikoro and Mopti. METHODOLOGY:A cross-sectional survey allowed us to collect lice from rural populations. Techniques of molecular biology (real-time PCR, standard PCR, and genotyping) were used for analysis of lice samples. RESULTS:Infestation rates were 57% (12/21) among subjects in Diankabou, in the Sahelian zone; 91% (39/43) in Doneguebougou, and 86% (59/69) in Zorocoro, in a savanna zone. The overall lice infestation rate in the samples in the three localities was 83% (110/133). Real-time PCR showed 3% (4/92) of Acinetobacter baumanii but no B. quintana in Diankabou. Phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial gene (Cytb) showed that head lice in Mali belong to genotype C. CONCLUSIONS:The high frequency of lice infestation in the study population indicates that it would be useful to conduct national epidemiological surveys to estimate the magnitude of this public health problem.