First report of classical knockdown resistance (kdr) mutation, L1014F, in human head louse Pediculus humanus capitis (Phthiraptera: Anoplura)

Abstract

There are at least three known knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations reported globally in the human head louse Pediculus humanus capitis (Phthiraptera: Anoplura) that are associated with reduced sensitivity to pyrethroids. However, prevalence of kdr mutation is not known in the Indian subcontinent. To identify kdr mutations in the Indian population, the genomic region of the voltage-gated sodium channel gene encompassing IIS1-2 linker to IIS6 segments was PCR-amplified and sequenced from P. humanus capitis samples collected from different geographic localities of India. DNA sequencing revealed the presence of four kdr mutations, i.e., M827I, T929I, L932F and L1014F. The presence of a classical kdr mutation, L1014F, a most widely reported mutation across insect-taxa associated with kdr-trait, is being reported for the first time in P. humanus capitis.