METHOD AND COMPOSITION FOR THE DETECTION OF ARTHROPODS

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a composition for detecting the presence of arthropods, and/or their eggs, in the hair of the body and/or head of a subject.

Claims

1. A method for the detection of arthropods and/or their eggs in the hair of the head and body of a human subject or fur of an animal subject by means of a composition, wherein the composition comprises: a) a fluorescent pigment suitable for binding selectively to the cuticle of arthropods and emitting fluorescence when exposed to visible or ultraviolet light radiation; b) at least one starch or clay; wherein said method comprises at least the following steps: i. applying the composition the hair of the head and/or body of the subject, ii. exposing said hair of the head and/or body to a light source and iii. detecting the arthropods, and/or their eggs, possibly present, through the fluorescence emitted.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fluorescent pigment a) is selected from the group consisting of: black iron oxide, yellow iron oxide, red iron oxide, Acid yellow 23 (CAS Nr. 1934-21-0), Food Yellow 3 (CAS Nr. 2783-94-0), Acid Red 15 (CAS Nr. 16423-68-0), Acid Red 14 (CAS Nr. 3567-69-9), Acid Red 18 (CAS Nr. 2611-82-7), Acid Blue 9 (CAS Nr. 3844-45-9), Acid Blue 74 (CAS Nr. 860-22-00) and mixtures thereof.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one starch is selected from the group consisting of corn starch, rice starch, potato starch, tapioca starch and mixtures thereof.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the at least one starch is selected from the group consisting of rice starch and corn starch.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises at least one of an alcohol, a silicone, a plasticizer, and mixtures thereof.

6. A composition in powder form comprising: a) a fluorescent pigment suitable for selectively binding to the cuticle of arthropods and emitting fluorescence when exposed to visible or ultraviolet light radiation; b) at least one starch or clay; for use in the treatment or prevention of an infestation of a subject by arthropods, wherein said treatment or prevention comprises at least the following steps: i. applying the composition to the hair of the head and/or body of the subject, ii. exposing said hair of the body and/or head to a light source and iii. detecting the arthropods, and/or their eggs, possibly present, through the fluorescence emitted, and iv. removing said arthropods, and/or their eggs, from the hair of the head and/or body of the subject.

7. A powder composition in the form of a dry spray comprising: a) a fluorescent pigment suitable for selectively binding to the cuticle of arthropods and emitting fluorescence when exposed to visible or ultraviolet light radiation; b) at least one starch or clay, preferably a starch; c) at least one propellant.

8. The composition according to claim 7, wherein the fluorescent pigment a) is selected from the group consisting of: black iron oxide, yellow iron oxide, red iron oxide, Acid yellow 23 (CAS Nr. 1934-21-0), Food Yellow 3 (CAS Nr. 2783-94-0), Acid Red 15 (CAS Nr. 16423-68-0), Acid Red 14 (CAS Nr. 3567-69-9), Acid Red 18 (CAS Nr. 2611-82-7), Acid Blue 9 (CAS Nr. 3844-45-9), Acid Blue 74 (CAS Nr. 860-22-00) and mixtures thereof.

9. The composition according to claim 7, wherein the at least one starch b) is selected from the group consisting of rice starch, corn starch, potato starch, tapioca starch and mixtures thereof.

10. The composition according to claim 7, wherein the weight of the sum of components a) and b) ranges from 1 to 15% with respect to the total weight of the composition.

11. The composition according to claim 7, wherein the composition further contains at least one antiparasitic active ingredient.

12. The method according to claim 1 wherein the at least one clay or starch is a starch.

13. The method according to claim 5 wherein preferably wherein the plasticizer is isopropyl myristate.

14. The composition according to claim 6 wherein the at least one clay or starch is a starch.

15. The composition according to claim 11, wherein the antiparasitic active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of natural pyrethrins, synthetic pyrethrins, phosphoric organic pesticides, and combinations thereof.

16. The composition according to claim 11, w herein the antiparasitic active ingredient is a substance of a natural origin substantially free of toxicity for animals other than arthropods selected from the group consisting of tea tree oil (oil of Melaleuca alternifolia and similar species) and manuka oil (Leptospermum scoparium).

Description

EXAMPLE 1

[0111] A composition according to the present invention having the composition indicated in Table 2

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 % by wt./total Component wt. (% w/w) Isopropyl myristate (IPM) 4.0 Phenyltrimethicone (DOW 556) 0.5 Ethyl alcohol 7.3 Fragrance (VELVETY PEACH TSV00060) 0.2 Coloured starch 8.0 LPG 80.00 100

[0112] in the form of dry spray contained in a 150 ml spray can was applied by spraying it on dry hair attacked by Pediculus humanus capitis and left to act for a couple of minutes during which the fluorescent detector adhered tenaciously to the waxy layer that covers the chitin of lice and nits. The hair was then brushed to remove the excess product. The mixture, especially if an antiparasitic agent is present, can help to kill lice, for example by dehydration, from the moment of application. The lice and nits were then identified with the naked eye, as the parasites and their eggs were clearly visible as fluorescent corpuscles on the non-fluorescent background of the hair, in an easy, unambiguous and immediate way. The lice and nits were removed mechanically with a thick-toothed comb until total elimination.

EXAMPLE 2

[0113] The same composition used in Example 1, in the form of a dry spray contained in a 150 ml can, was applied by spraying it onto dry canine fur presumably attacked by Ctenocephalides canis and left to act for a few seconds, during which the fluorescent detector became bound to the outer waxy layer that covers the chitin of the fleas. The fur was then brushed to remove the excess product. The mixture, especially in the presence of an antiparasitic agent, can kill arthropods, for example by dehydration, from the moment of application. The fleas were then identified with the naked eye, and were clearly visible as fluorescent corpuscles on the non-fluorescent background of the fur, in an easy, unambiguous and immediate way. Once the presence of arthropods had been verified, it was possible to intervene both mechanically and also by acting with appropriate antiparasitic products until total elimination, verified visually.

EXAMPLE 3 (COMPARATIVE)

[0114] A powder composition having the composition indicated in Table 3

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 % by wt./TOTAL Component wt. (% w/w) Disteardimonium hectorite 3.0 Isopropyl myristate (IPM) 4.0 Phenyltrimethicone (DOW 556) 0.5 Ethyl alcohol 12.3 Fragrance (VELVETY PEACH TSV00060) 0.2 Red dye 0.01 LPG 79.99 100

[0115] in the form of a dry spray contained in a 150 ml spray can, was applied by spraying it onto dry hair attacked by Pediculus humanus capitis and left to act for a couple of minutes.

[0116] The composition of Table 3 is characterized by the use of a clay, namely a derivative of hectorite, instead of starch. It is therefore a viscosifying agent not based on starch and the composition thus obtained, once applied to the hair, adheres tenaciously creating a creamy mixture. It is therefore not possible to remove the mixture from the hair by brushing and the composition also dyes the skin and mucous membranes. It is consequently not possible to selectively detect arthropods and nits.

[0117] The composition of Table 3 shows that the starch component is essential for the detection of arthropods and/or their eggs in the hair of the head and body of a human subject or in the fur of an animal subject.

EXAMPLE 4 (COMPARATIVE)

[0118] A powder composition having the composition indicated in Table 4

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 % by wt./total Component wt. (% w/w) Isopropyl myristate (IPM) 4.0 Phenyltrimethicone (DOW 556) 0.5 Ethyl alcohol 15.3 Fragrance (VELVETY PEACH TSV00060) 0.2 Red dye 0.01 LPG 79.99 100

[0119] in the form of a dry spray contained in a 150 ml spray can, was applied by spraying it onto dry hair attacked by Pediculus humanus capitis and left to act for a couple of minutes.

[0120] The composition of Table 4 is characterized by the absence of the starch component and the alcohol-based composition is present at the moment of application in the form of aqueous droplets, it does not adhere to the hair and is not able to detect arthropods or parasites.

[0121] The composition of Table 4 shows that the starch component is essential for the detection of arthropods and/or their eggs in the hair of the head and body of a human subject or in the fur of an animal subject.