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Controlling scabies in institutional settings: a review of medications, treatment models, and implementation.

Scabies is a global problem and a significant source of morbidity in nursing home residents and workers because of its highly contagious nature. It is also a problem in hospitals that care for the elderly, the debilitated, and the immunocompromised. New outbreaks continue to occur, despite controlling the recurrent epidemics. Scabies manifests as papules, pustules, burrows, nodules, and occasionally urticarial papules and plaques. Most of the patients with scabies experience severe pruritus. A subset of patients have crusted or Norwegian scabies. These patients, who are usually debilitated or immunocompromised, do not experience the urge to scratch, and therefore do not scratch their own skin. Diagnosis of scabies is based on patient history, physical examination, and demonstration of mites, eggs, or scybala (black or brown football-shaped masses of feces of scabies) on microscopic examination. Scabies can be treated with topical or oral therapies. Topical treatments include 5% permethrin cream, 1% lindane (gamma benzene hexachloride) lotion, 6% precipitated sulfur in petrolatum, crotamiton, malathion, allethrin spray, and benzyl benzoate. Ivermectin, the only oral treatment, is not approved for scabies in the US. Most authorities advocate using a scabicide several times, specifically once a week over a period of 2-3 weeks. In an outbreak of scabies in a nursing home, residents, staff, and frequent visitors should all be treated even if they are not symptomatic. Ivermectin is useful in treating patients with Norwegian or crusted scabies, or who are debilitated. Ivermectin has no serious reported adverse effects. Model treatment plans to stop scabies epidemics have been developed. These plans coordinate treatment of all persons exposed (including ivermectin for debilitated patients), isolation of infected patients, disinfection of objects that patients have come into contact with, and education and reassurance of the medical staff. Failure to coordinate notification, education, treatment, and disinfection leads to failure to control scabies epidemics. Control of epidemics of institutional scabies requires attention to treatment effects and logistics. Treatment is low risk, but cumbersome because many individuals need be treated. It is advisable to restrict, where possible, the number of staff members that deal with scabies patients to limit the spread of the scabies. Prolonged surveillance is required for the eradication of institutional scabies. While the foregoing plans require coordination of all involved personnel and sustained efforts, they are necessary to halt the spread of scabies to patients and staff, to enhance their morale, and to prevent deterioration of labor and public relations.

Cross Infection↗

[Nosocomial outbreak of scabies in a psychiatric hospital--epidemiological assessment and prophylactic treatment with oral ivermectin].

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of mass treatment with ivermectin of scabies outbreak in institutional settings. To determine the factors, such as host susceptibility and scabetic exposure level associated with the onset of scabies. METHODS: The authors investigated a nosocomial scabies outbreak in a close psychiatric ward. The index case was a man with steroid-induced localized crusted scabies. Twenty-six patients were diagnosed with scabies, 4 of them had relapse of scabies, while no staff was infested. Despite frequent surveillance and treatment of symptomatic patients with 1% gamma-benzenehexachloride (gamma-BHC: Lindane), new cases were observed. Thus, all 69 patients in the ward were treated with ivermectin (200 microg/kg) simultaneously on day 105 of the outbreak (the mass treatment). Patients who had scabies were compared with patients who had no scabies in terms of age, body weight, diabetes, physical functions, topical administration of corticosteroid, proximity to the index patient, and problematic behavior. RESULTS: The mass treatment was implemented without a significant adverse event. Although two patients developed symptoms of scabies after the mass treatment, no patient in the ward had been diagnosed with scabies since the 98th day of the treatment. Regarding factors associated with the scabies onset, the only statistically significant factor was proximity to the index patient with crusted scabies. CONCLUSIONS: Oral ivermectin was safe and effective for controlling scabies in institutional settings. The exposure level to scabetic mites was more important than host susceptibility in determining the risk of scabies onset.

Administration, Oral↗

An outbreak of scabies in a teaching hospital: lessons learned.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate an outbreak of scabies in an inner-city teaching hospital, identify pathways of transmission, institute effective control measures to end the outbreak, and prevent future occurrences. DESIGN: Outbreak investigation, case-control study, and chart review. SETTING: Large tertiary acute-care hospital. RESULTS: A patient with unrecognized Norwegian (crusted) scabies was admitted to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) service of a 940-bed acute-care hospital. Over 4 months, 773 healthcare workers (HCWs) and 204 patients were exposed to scabies. Of the exposed HCWs, 147 (19%) worked on the AIDS service. Risk factors for being infested with scabies among HCWs included working on the AIDS service (odds ratio [OR], 5.3; 95% confidence interval [CI95], 2.17-13.15) and being a nurse, physical therapist, or HCW with extensive physical contact with infected patients (OR, 4.5; CI95, 1.26-17.45). Aggressive infection control precautions beyond Centers for Disease Control and Prevention barrier and isolation recommendations were instituted, including the following: (1) early identification of infected patients; (2) prophylactic treatment with topical applications for all exposed HCWs; (3) use of two treatments 1 week apart for all cases of Norwegian scabies; (4) maintaining isolation for 8 days and barrier precautions for 24 hours after completing second treatment for a diagnosis of Norwegian scabies; and (5) oral ivermectin for treatment of patients who failed conventional therapy. CONCLUSIONS: HCWs with the most patient contact are at highest risk of acquiring scabies. Because HCWs who used traditionally accepted barriers while caring for patients with Norwegian scabies continued to develop scabies, we found additional measures were required in the acute-care hospital. HCWs with skin exposure to patients with scabies should receive prophylactic treatment. We recommend (1) using heightened barrier precautions for care of patients with scabies and (2) extending the isolation period for 8 days or 24 hours after the second treatment with a scabicide for those patients with Norwegian scabies. Oral ivermectin was well tolerated for treating patients and HCWs who failed conventional treatment. Finally, we developed a surveillance system that provides a "barometric measure" of the infection rate in the community. If scabies increases in the community, a tiered triage system is activated to protect against transmission among HCWs or hospital patients.

Adult↗

[Clinical study of scabies. The changes in the modes of transmission, and its diagnosis and treatment].

Scabies has become a common disease, not sexually transmitted but transmitted in households. Although it is also known to cause an epidemic in hospitals for the aged patients or residential homes, no effective treatment was taken for it at the present time. From January 1985 to December 1992, 424 patients with scabies (249 males and 175 females) visited the Dermatological clinic of Nippon Medical School Main Hospital. In these cases, only 13 patients (3.1%) were recognized as having STD. The sources of infestation were unclear in most cases where the disease was transmitted in households, which account for 38.5% of the patients. In 68 cases (16.0%), outbreaks of scabies in hospitals and residential homes affected the patients as well as the staffs and their families. The number of scabies cases which were infested in hospitals is increasing yearly. It is speculated that the hospitals for the aged patients and residential homes are becoming the main source of scabietic infestation. Only 16.6% of the patients were previously diagnosed or suspected to have scabies by their family doctors. It seems that the diagnosis of scabies is extremely difficult for the general practitioner. A considerable number of the patients who had been diagnosed or suspected to have scabies changed their doctor or stop visiting them. This is because an appropriate treatment is not available in most of medical facilities. At the time of the first visit to our clinic, 93.6% of the patients was diagnosed or suspected to have scabies, and the mite was demonstrated in 63.2% of the patients. It is suggested that careful inspection of scabietic burrows and the skillful technique to demonstrate the mite are essential to establish the diagnosis of scabies. Atopic dermatitis was the most common diagnosis of the patients who were misdiagnosed at the first time and later turned out to have scabies. These patients did have atopic dermatitis besides scabies. After the treatment with benzyl benzoate with crotamiton, 70.3% of the patients were cured and up to 94.9% of the patients were over improved. We compared the therapeutic effect of phenothrin to that of benzyl benzoate. Benzyl benzoate had more antipruritic effect and a little more improvement of skin lesion than phenothrin. However, there was no significant difference between benzyl benzoate and phenothrin in the period of time until the skin lesion cleared. Phenothrin is considered to have an adequate therapeutic effect for scabies.

Adult↗

Circulating IgE in patients with ordinary and crusted scabies.

Serum from seven patients with ordinary scabies and six with crusted scabies were screened by immunoblotting for IgE- and IgG-specific proteins in an extract of the mite, Sarcoptes scabiei variety canis. Sera from atopic individuals without sensitivity to house dust mites were used as controls. Serum from all of the patients with crusted scabies showed strong IgE binding to 11-21 and IgG binding to 1-7 scabies proteins. In contrast, three of the seven patients with ordinary scabies showed IgE binding to one to six scabies proteins, and their antibody binding was much weaker. Patients with crusted scabies had serum antibody that reacted with larger molecular weight proteins compared with patients with ordinary scabies. The results of this study indicate that patients with crusted scabies showed a pronounced IgE response to scabies mites, whereas patients with ordinary scabies did not.

Animals↗

The treatment of scabies with ivermectin.

BACKGROUND: Ivermectin is an anthelmintic agent that has been a safe, effective treatment for onchocerciasis (river blindness) when given in a single oral dose of 150 to 200 micrograms per kilogram of body weight. Anecdotal reports of improvement in patients who suffered from infestation with the mite Sarcoptes scabiei suggest that the ectoparasitic disease scabies might be treated with ivermectin. METHODS: We conducted an open-label study in which ivermectin was administered in a single oral dose of 200 micrograms per kilogram to 11 otherwise healthy patients with scabies and to 11 patients with scabies who were also infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), 7 of whom had the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. All patients received a full physical and dermatologic examination; scrapings from the skin of all patients tested positive for scabies. Patients were reexamined two and four weeks after treatment, when the scrapings for scabies were repeated. The patients used no other scabicides during the 30 days before ivermectin treatment or during the 4-week study period. RESULTS: None of the 11 otherwise healthy patients had evidence of scabies four weeks after a single dose of ivermectin. Of the 11 HIV-infected patients, 2 had < or = 10 scabies lesions before treatment, 3 had 11 to 49 lesions, 4 had > or = 50 lesions, and 2 had heavily crusted skin lesions. In eight of the patients the scabies was cured after a single dose of ivermectin. Two patients received a second dose two weeks after the first. Ten of the 11 patients with HIV infection (91 percent) had no evidence of scabies four weeks after their first treatment with ivermectin. CONCLUSIONS: The anthelmintic agent ivermectin, given in a single oral dose, is an effective treatment for scabies in otherwise healthy patients and in many patients with HIV infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[The remarkable debate during the beginning of the nineteenth century concerning the aetiology of scabies].

The scabies mite (acarus or sarcoptes scabiei) was known already to Aristoteles, to the Arabic medicine during the early and to European physicians as well as laymen during the later Middle Ages, depicted in 1687 by Bonomo in Italy and by Schwiebe in Germany during the beginning of the eighteenth century. Later in the middle of the century three pupils to Linnaeus in their doctor's theses stated that the scabies mite (Acarus humanus subcutaneus) was the cause of scabies. The best pictures of the scabies-mite as well as of the flour- and cheese-mite was given by the Swedish entomologist Charles de Geer in 1778. In spite of all these facts the real aetiology of scabies seemed to be unknown in France and in most parts of Europe. This was probably due to the fact that no one had learned the rather simple method to extract the mite from the skin with a needle and thereby verify its existence. In the beginning of the twentieth century scabies was a real problem for the health authorities. In Paris l'Académie de Médecine even offered a reward to the person who could solve the enigma of the itch. Jean Chrysanthe Galés was the pharmacist at l'Hôpital St. Louis, the famous skin hospital in Paris, where at this time about 65 percent of the beds were occupied by patients suffering from scabies. Galés also studied medicine and wanted to write a doctor's thesis. As the theme of a dissertation he was given the cause of the itch. In 1812 he published his thesis ("Essai sur la Gale") including a plate with sketches of mites that he claimed to have extracted from vesicules on the skin of his scabies patients. His findings could not be verified by other investigators. Galés however refused to take part in any control experiments and left the hospital. The debate concerning the supposed cause of the itch continued for two decades both inside and outside the hospital. F.C. Raspail, a famous natural scientist, was interested. After having studied the literature and especially the drawings by de Geer he was convinced that the mites depicted by Galés were similar to de Geers' flour-and cheese mite and that they had no resemblence to his picture of scabies-mite. In a control experiment Raspail could show how Galés had cheated by contaminating his slide with cheese-mites. However, a Corsican student at l'Hôpital St. Louis named S.F. Renucci knew the answer to the riddle. He had long ago been taught by peasant women of his home island how to extract the mite and he could now show the method to the doctors at l'Hôpital St. Louis. this was on August 13 in 1834, which usually in the literature is looked upon as the day when the discovery of the aethiology of scabies was made. Maybe we have a different view in Sweden.

Animals↗

Today's scabies.

In the past several years there has been a noticeable increase of scabies in the United States; the magnitude of this is not known. An expanding epidemic continues in most parts of the world. Scabies is frequently seen in many guises that may be difficult to diagnose: scabies in the clean, scabies incognito, nodular scabies, animal-transmitted scabies, scabies in infants, scabies with syphillis, and Norwegian scabies. If the diagnosis cannot be confirmed by identifying the mite, synthesis of suggestive features may establish the diagnosis. Recently adopted children from foreign countries, especially southeastern Asia, have had a high frequency of scabies, which may appear after the children arrive in the United States. Acute glomerulonephritis may develop in patients whose scabetic lesions are complicated by a Virulent nephritogenic streptococcal strain.

Acute Disease↗

Scabies in AIDS.

Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) will be the most common disease triggering crusted (Norwegian) scabies. Scabies should be suspected in any atypical itching (or non) rash in HIV/AIDS patients. Attempt to prove the diagnosis by doing a skin scraping, or if negative, a skin biopsy. Unusual forms of scabies in HIV/AIDS can be divided into crusted scabies and atypical (exaggerated) scabies. Therapy requires the sequential use of scabicides, usually over a longer period than is required to clear an ordinary case of scabies. Compliance is a concern, and the scabicides are best administered under supervision whenever possible. Isolating the index patient and treating the environment of patients with crusted or atypical scabies is much more significant than in ordinary scabies. The transmission in hospitals of ordinary scabies from an index patient with crusted scabies to other patients, health care workers, etc, is common. Protective measures and early diagnosis and therapy are essential.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[Treatment of endemic scabies with allethrin, permethrin and ivermectin. Evaluation of a treatment strategy].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Ectoparasitic cutaneous infestations are still common problems in countries of Western Europe. Scabies is a highly contagious disease of the skin caused by Sarcoptes scabiei variatio hominis. It has a world-wide distribution and affects all ages with no specific gender predisposition. Scabies is of profound public health interest because certain environment factors such as overcrowding, poor hygiene, delayed treatment of primary cases and lack of public enlightenment are conducive to its spread. However, prompt and adequate therapy is rewarding and prevents further spreading. Scabies acquires additional public health significance when large numbers of individuals are affected, as in a nursing home. Outbreaks of scabies in such dimensions require a special treatment strategy. PATIENTS/METHODS: On request of the town council an eradication concept for the treatment of endemic scabies in nursing and retirement homes was developed. RESULTS: persons (IP) and identification of the likely index patients (IXP)because of their widespread disease should be the first step of an eradication program. All IP except for IXP should be treated irrespective of clinical signs by a single application of a modern effective external scabicide such as allethrin (Spregal) or permethrin cream (permethrin 2,5% until 6th year of life or permethrin 5% in a hydrophilic cream) at day 1 (day X). The following 10-day quarantine and close control of all IP is an inexpensive and safe method of eradication. IXP are admitted and treated with oral administration of single dose of ivermectin, which can be repeated on day 8 if necessary. In addition permethrin cream 5% can be applied in severe cases, combined with nail trimming and aggressive cleaning of the subungual debris. Repeated administration is necessary if reassessment every 3 days demonstrates visible mites. (Note: none of this is mentioned in German.) The staff is instructed to wear gloves during all patient contact. CONCLUSIONS: Our strategy for eradication of endemic scabies has proven effective. Allethrin can be used following the package inpermethrin is more effective and can also be used in children, as well as pregnant and nursing women. Ivermectin is particularly useful in treating crusted scabies. It is not approved for scabies in Germany so the patients must be accordingly counseled. The frequency and the major therapeutic problems in treating endemic scabies make it important to work for the approval of permethrin and ivermectin in this setting.

Administration, Oral↗

Management of endemic outbreaks of scabies with allethrin, permethrin, and ivermectin.

BACKGROUND: At three residences for the elderly, recurrent scabies infestations became out of control. Due to the failure of repeated, nonsynchronized therapeutic efforts with conventional external anti-scabies treatments, an eradication program had to be developed. We describe a protocol for the management of outbreaks of scabies. METHODS: According to the clinical examination and microscopically identified mites, all individuals of the population (IOP: patients, staff, and family members) were divided into two groups: (a) healthy and infested IOP; and (b) cases with crusted scabies. The first group was treated simultaneously once with external scabicides (allethrin or permethrin). All others were hospitalized and treated either with systemic ivermectin or with the latter in combination with permethrin. RESULTS: In 252 IOP living in three residences for the elderly, clinical signs of scabies were reported in 91.5%, 78.5%, and 15.4% of the patients (age 55-97 years; mean, 80.5 years), 54.1%, 32.9%, and 16.6% of staff members, and in 7%, 3%, and 0% of family members. The infested IOP showed crusted scabies (index cases) in 5.3%, 5.0%, and 1.7%, common scabies in 43.1%, 36.7%, and 7.1%, and postscabiotic dermatitis in 10.3%, 7.6%, and 3.5%. In 99.2% of the synchronously treated IOP in group (a) (n = 240), the conventional treatment with permethrin cream 5% or allethrin spray was effective. Group (b) (n=12) received ivermectin (12 mg) once (n=5) or twice (n= 7) after an interval of 8 days. One index case received permethrin three times. CONCLUSIONS: Outbreaks of scabies in populations of elderly people require special management for disease control. Synchronous treatment with external permethrin cream 5% or allethrin spray, including all IOP once, and close control offers a time-saving, cheap, and reliable method. Crusted scabies should be treated by oral administration of ivermectin once or twice after an interval of 8 days. Additional applications of permethrin and mechanical clearing of hyperkeratotic subungual areas shorten the course.

Aged↗

The use of ivermectin in controlling an outbreak of scabies in a prison.

BACKGROUND: Ivermectin is a potentially useful treatment for scabies. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ivermectin in the treatment of scabies in an institutional environment. METHODS: A single dose of ivermectin 150 microg kg-1 was given under supervision to 1153 prisoners in a prison in northern Tanzania where there was an outbreak of scabies. RESULTS: Thirty per cent of the prisoners were cured after 1 week, 88% after 4 weeks and 95.5% after 8 weeks. Of 16 prisoners with crusted scabies, seven (44%) still had scabies after 8 weeks. Those who were not cured were then treated with 1% lindane lotion topically, as were the prison staff who had scabies. This regimen eradicated scabies from the prison for the next 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Ivermectin is an effective and safe treatment for scabies, particularly in a closed community, such as a prison, where it is easy to administer and avoids problems with compliance. It was of limited efficiency in crusted scabies as a single dose and we recommend that for such patients oral ivermectin is used in combination with a topical scabicide.

Adolescent↗

Epidemiology and morbidity of scabies and pediculosis capitis in resource-poor communities in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Pediculosis capitis and scabies are common parasitic skin diseases, especially in resource-poor communities, but data on epidemiology and morbidity are scanty. OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence, seasonal variation and morbidity of pediculosis capitis and scabies in poor neighbourhoods in north-east Brazil. METHODS: The study comprised cross-sectional surveys of a representative population of an urban slum (n = 1460) in Fortaleza, the capital of Ceará State (Brazil) and a fishing community 60 km south of the city (n = 605). Study participants were examined for the presence of scabies and pediculosis capitis. In a longitudinal study in the slum, variation of prevalence in different seasons of the year was assessed. RESULTS: Prevalence of pediculosis capitis was 43.4% in the slum and 28.1% in the fishing community. Children aged 10-14 years and females were most frequently affected. Scabies was present in 8.8% of the population in the slum and in 3.8% of the population in the fishing community. There was no consistent pattern of age distribution. Superinfection was common in patients with scabies, and cervical lymphadenopathy in patients with pediculosis capitis. Multivariate analysis showed that age < or = 15 years, being of female sex and living in the urban slum were independent factors contributing to the simultaneous coinfestation with pediculosis capitis and scabies. The longitudinal data from the urban slum showed a characteristic seasonal variation of pediculosis capitis, but no fluctuation of scabies. CONCLUSIONS: Pediculosis capitis and scabies are hyperendemic in the study areas and are associated with considerable morbidity. There is an urgent need to develop control measures for these parasitic skin diseases in resource-poor communities. This is the first community-based study describing in detail the epidemiology and morbidity of scabies and head lice infestation in Brazil.

Adolescent↗

Outcome of an interventional program for scabies in an Indigenous community.

OBJECTIVE: To implement an intervention program for reducing the prevalence of scabies in a large Northern Territory Aboriginal community. DESIGN: Prospective, longitudinal screening, intervention and follow-up study. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: All children aged 5 years and under in one of the largest Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory, total population, approximately 2,200 (95% Indigenous). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A decrease in prevalence of scabies, infected scabies and non-scabies pyoderma over seven months. RESULTS: The number of children aged 5 years and under screened intially and at the three follow-up screenings ranged from 201 to 242 (more than 98% of those eligible on each occasion). The prevalences of scabies, infected scabies and non-scabies pyoderma before intervention were 35%, 12% and 11%, respectively. At 6 weeks postintervention these had decreased to 3%, 1% and 4%, respectively; low prevalences were maintained at four and seven months. CONCLUSIONS: This intervention, which was based on community motivation, involvement and control, successfully reduced the prevalence of scabies. Continuing community health education and regular screening will be crucial in controlling scabies. The methods and results of this study may be helpful in developing a coordinated program for all remote Aboriginal communities in the area.

Australia↗

Scabies in Thai orphanages.

BACKGROUND: Scabies outbreaks have emerged in the orphanages in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Sulfur has been accepted as the standard treatment for childhood scabies in Thailand. Sulfur was administered in the mass treatment in two orphanages. The present study surveys the prevalence of scabies in these orphans the year following the mass treatment program. METHODS: The authors visited the two orphanages over the course of 1 year. Children at the orphanages were examined. Cases of scabies and their contacts were treated. RESULTS: The prevalence of scabies was 87.3% before the mass treatment, and 2 months after treatment the prevalence of scabies was reduced to a prevalence of <10%, which was maintained until the end of the present study (P < 0.01 for each visit). CONCLUSION: Sulfur is effective for treating scabies outbreaks where the cost of treatment is a major concern. In order to control the scabies outbreak and to prevent further outbreaks, the authors emphasize that an ongoing process of follow up after mass treatment is necessary.

Child↗

Review of ivermectin in scabies.

BACKGROUND: Currently available topical medications for scabies are messy and need prolonged application. This leads to poor patient adherence. Emerging drug resistance to topical scabicides has made eradication of scabies difficult. OBJECTIVE: Availability of an effective oral scabicidal agent, ivermectin (Ivm), opens a new era in the management of scabies. This review summarizes the published literature on the use of ivermectin in the treatment of scabies. CONCLUSION: A single oral dose of ivermectin of 200 mg/kg body weight is very effective in the treatment of human scabies. A second dose 7-10 days later substantially improves the cure rate. This suggests that ivermectin may not be effective against all the stages in the life cycle of the parasite. Endemic and epidemic scabies in institutions are better treated with Ivm. Crusted scabies ideally should be treated with a combination of Ivm and topical scabicides. Other standard measures and precautions should be taken. Additional controlled studies using a higher single oral dose or using parenteral or topical forms of Ivm are needed. The safety of Ivm in children less than 5 years old and in pregnant women has to be established. The U.S. FDA has not yet approved the drug for the treatment of human scabies.

Humans↗