First Detection of in from Latin America.

Several studies have documented the presence of a known multi-drug-resistant pathogen, in the human head louse, Since no reports from countries in Latin America have been published, the aim of the present study was to determine whether was present in head lice specimens collected in this geographic region. Head lice specimens from Argentina, Colombia, and Honduras were analyzed. PCR assays were performed to confirm the specimens' species and to investigate whether the DNA of was present. The products of the latter were sequenced to confirm bacterial identity. Altogether, 122 pools of head lice were analyzed, of which two (1.64%) were positive for 's DNA. The positive head lice had been collected at the poorest study site in Honduras. The remaining specimens were negative. This study is the first to report the presence of in human head lice from Latin America. Further investigations are required to elucidate whether these ectoparasites can serve as natural reservoirs or even effectively transmit to humans.