Metagenomic characterization of wild mutant and permethrin-susceptible head lice (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) bacterial endosymbionts reveals expanded microbiota in the refractory strain

The association of human head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis de Geer, with versatile maternally-transmitted symbiotic bacteria is well-known. The possible permissiveness of insecticide degradation by endobionts could help to protect lice against specific environmental stresses. Using the next generation sequencing (NGS), this study aimed to unravel bacterial symbionts in wild human louse populations and to outline the bacterial phylogeny from mutant and permethrin-susceptible head lice lineages.