What diseases are transmitted by body lice?

Body lice are known to transmit specific diseases that are predominantly associated with crowded living conditions and poor hygiene. Epidemic typhus, trench fever, and relapsing fever are all illnesses that can be spread through body lice.

Epidemic typhus is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia prowazekii and is often associated with outbreaks in situations of overcrowding and poor sanitation. Trench fever, caused by Bartonella quintana, also arises in similar conditions and was notably seen during World War I among soldiers living in unsanitary conditions. Relapsing fever, primarily caused by Borrelia bacteria, can occur as well and has been linked to lice among other vectors.

Contrastingly, HIV and syphilis are primarily transmitted through sexual contact rather than through parasites like body lice. Malaria and dengue fever are spread through mosquito bites, while tuberculosis and influenza are airborne diseases that are not transmitted by lice. As such, option B accurately includes the diseases that body lice can transmit, making it the correct choice.