Said Adan

Scabies
Life cycle
Diagnosis, Treatment
And Control

animal.discovery.com
 contagious disease caused by a mite

sarcoptes scabiei
 Skin contact with infected person.

Infected persons who have no itching can pass

the mite on to others

Scabies is usually not transmitted via clothing

or bedding its very uncommon (the usual
wash cycle can be used when these items are
laundered)
 In routine scabies, a single mite is seen.
Eosinophilic spongiosis may be present (H&E,
400X). Court
 Classical sites of
scabies rash...

between fingers
wrists
auxiliary areas
female breasts (particularly the
skin of the nipples)
the umbilical area
penis and scrotum
buttocks
inside of legs
ankles
 Definite diagnosis - a definite diagnosis is
made by taking skin scrapings from burrows
and identifying the mites, their eggs or faeces by
microscopy

Presumptive diagnosis - it is often difficult to

find burrows and obtain suitable specimens,
therefore presumptive diagnosis relies on
history and clinical appearance
 Use a scabicide for the treatment of
scabies
Permethrin (Elimite) -- In 5% cream.
 Ivermectin (Mectizan, Stromectol) -- Binds
selectively with glutamate-gated chloride ion
channels in invertebrate nerve and muscle cells,
causing cell death.
 Promote good surveillance of new residents
Observe for rashes on arrival at the home, then at
3 weeks and at 6 weeks
Maintain a high level of suspicion if patients present with
undiagnosed skin rashes
Families are treated all at the same time.
 Scabies references

Burgess I, 1994 - Sarcoptes scabiei and scabies, Advances in parasitology,

Vol 33, Academic Press Limited
Burgess I, Cohen J, 2000 - Treating lice and scabies, Pages 99-105, Prescriber,
19 November 2000
Walker GJA, Johnstone PW, 2000 - Interventions for treating scabies,
The Cochrane Library, Issue 3
Roberts DT, 2000 Editor Lice and Scabies A Health Professionals Guide to
Epidemiology and Treatment. Public Health Laboratory Service, London