The genomics of human lice: From the genome to the potential for future control strategies

•The genome of the body louse is now available.•The transcriptomes of both body and head lice have been completed.•The RNAi machinery of body lice has been determined.•RNAi knockdown has been demonstrated in the body louse.•Novel opportunities for pest control strategies of body and head lice are discussed.

Human lice represent a unique ectoparasitic relationship with humans. Head lice, which do not vector human diseases, exist in many human populations where they represent a considerable nuisance. However, body lice tend to appear when social economic conditions that allow opportunities for significantly reduced hygiene in individuals or populations and they vector human bacterial diseases. There are limited control options for human lice coupled with the emergence of pesticide resistance in insect populations. A better understanding of insect genomes has been proposed as a starting point for the development of novel insect control strategies. In this review, we summarize the findings of the body louse genome project, subsequent work, and its impact on new insights into human lice with the potential for long-term novel pest control strategies. RNAi is also discussed, including the potential for resistance using this strategy.

Graphical abstractDevelopmental stages of the human body louse. The genome of the body louse and transcriptomes, which include all developmental stages, of the head and body louse are now available. This article outlines how knowledge gained from these efforts may aid in the development of novel control strategies for these pests.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide