Epidemiology of scabies.

20 Fuller LC.
Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2013 Apr;26(2):123-6. doi: 10.1097/QCO.0b013e32835eb851.
Review.
Summarises most recent knowledge of scabies prevalence in both developed and
developing settings.
B. Research articles
21 Clinic attendances during the first 12 months of life for Aboriginal children in five
remote communities of northern Australia.
Kearns T, Clucas D, Connors C, Currie BJ, Carapetis JR, Andrews RM.
PLoS One. 2013;8(3):e58231. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058231. Epub 2013 Mar 1.
Retrospective chart reviews show that scabies is one of the most common diseases
encountered in Aboriginal children, with an average of 3 presentations in the first
year of life.
Scabies increased the risk of chronic kidney disease: a 5-year follow-up study.
Chung SD, Wang KH, Huang CC, Lin HC.
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2013 Feb 1. doi: 10.1111/jdv.12099. [Epub ahead of
print]
A large retrospective study involving over 5000 subjects with scabies and 25,000
controls, showing that infestation with scabies increases the risk of developing
chronic kidney disease.
Burden of paediatric pyoderma and scabies in North West Queensland.
Whitehall J, Kuzulugil D, Sheldrick K, Wood A.
J Paediatr Child Health. 2013 Feb;49(2):141-3. doi: 10.1111/jpc.12095. Epub 2013
Jan 25.
Survey on scabies and associated pyoderma in North Queensland pointing out the
overall neglect of the major problem in the region.
Investigation of a scabies outbreak in a kindergarten in Constance, Germany.
Ariza L, Walter B, Worth C, Brockmann S, Weber ML, Feldmeier H.
Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2013 Mar;32(3):373-80. doi: 10.1007/s10096-012-
1752-1. Epub 2012 Sep 28
Detailed investigation of this outbreak indicated that the particular pedagogical
concept of the kindergarten favoured the spread of mites, with transmission occurring
through body contact and via fomites.
An outbreak of scabies in multiple linked healthcare settings in The Netherlands.
Ladbury G, Morroy G, van Hoeven-Dekkers S, Botermans C, Veelenturf C, Bastiaens
M, van Abeelen C, Wijkmans C.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2012 Oct;33(10):1047-50. doi: 10.1086/667736. Epub
2012 Aug 23.
Study illustrates how the complexity of care service provision with a high level of
interlinkage between multiple healthcare settings contributed in combination with
delayed diagnoses to extensive scabies transmission, resulting in a significant
outbreak.
[Increasing incidence of scabies in France, 1999-2010, and public health
implications].
Bitar D, Thiolet JM, Haeghebaert S, Castor C, Poujol I, Coignard B, Che D.
Ann Dermatol Venereol. 2012 Jun;139(6-7):428-34. doi:
10.1016/j.annder.2012.01.023. Epub 2012 Mar 20. French.
Analysis of the increased sales of benzyl benzoate and ivermectin indicating an
increase in prevalence of scabies in France.
Epidemiology of scabies in the West Bank, Palestinian Territories (Occupied).
Amro A, Hamarsheh O.
Int J Infect Dis. 2012 Feb;16(2):e117-20. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2011.10.005. Epub 2011
Dec 3
This study provides good insights into the problems of scabies in disadvantaged
communities.

Diagnosis
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A. Recent reviews

B. Research articles
practitioners for a range of skin conditions.
Additional techniques for diagnosing scabies
de Caprariis PJ, Della-Latta P.
Am Fam Physician. 2013 Apr 15;87(8):536. No abstract available.
Response to previous article adding the ink burrow test as a technique and analysis
of scrapings in mineral oil, to assist in the diagnosis.
Reflectance confocal microscopy for quantification of Sarcoptes scabiei in Norwegian
scabies.
Cinotti E, Perrot JL, Labeille B, Vercherin P, Chol C, Besson E, Cambazard F.
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2013 Feb;27(2):e176-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-
3083.2012.04555.x. Epub 2012 May 23.
Study illustrates the ability of RCM to identify, locate, and quantify the various forms
of S. scabiei in human skin.
The curette prep: a modification of the traditional scabies preparation.
Jacks SK, Lewis EA, Witman PM.
Pediatr Dermatol. 2012 Jul-Aug;29(4):544-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1470.2012.01745.x.
Epub 2012 Apr 4.
Introduction of the curette as a substitution for the scalpel blade when obtaining skin
scrapings.



Treatment
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A. Recent reviews

B. Research articles
Comparison of oral ivermectin vs. lindane lotion 1% for the treatment of scabies.
Mohebbipour A, Saleh P, Goldust M, Amirnia M, Zadeh YJ, Mohamad RM, Rezaee
E.
Clin Exp Dermatol. 2013 Jun 15. doi: 10.1111/ced.12079. [Epub ahead of print]
Trial including 148 patients to compare the efficacy of oral ivermectin versus topical
lindane.
Ivermectin vs. lindane in the treatment of scabies.
Goldust M, Rezaee E, Raghifar R, Naghavi-Behzad M.
Ann Parasitol. 2013;59(1):37-41.
Trial including 440 patients to compare the efficacy of oral ivermectin versus topical
lindane.
Comparison of permethrin 2.5 % cream vs. Tenutex emulsion for the treatment of
scabies.
Goldust M, Rezaee E, Raghifar R, Naghavi-Behzad M.
Ann Parasitol. 2013;59(1):31-5.
Trial involving 440 patients to compare the efficacy of permethrin 2.5% cream vs.
Tenutex emulsion for the treatment of scabies.
Comparison of oral ivermectin versus crotamiton 10% cream in the treatment of
scabies.
Goldust M, Rezaee E, Raghifar R.
Cutan Ocul Toxicol. 2013 Feb 25. [Epub ahead of print]
This trial included 320 patients and compared the efficacy of oral ivermectin versus
topical crotamiton.
Treatment of scabies with oral ivermectin in 15 infants: a retrospective study on
tolerance and efficacy.
Bcourt C, Marguet C, Balguerie X, Joly P.
Br J Dermatol. 2013 May 31. doi: 10.1111/bjd.12454. [Epub ahead of print]
Case study reporting experience on the safety and efficacy of oral ivermectin in
refractory scabies in infants.
Efficacy and safety of Tinospora cordifolia lotion in Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis-
infected pediatric patients: A single blind, randomized controlled trial.
Castillo AL, Osi MO, Ramos JD, De Francia JL, Dujunco MU, Quilala PF.
J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2013 Jan;4(1):39-46. doi: 10.4103/0976-500X.107668.
Small RCT undertaken in the Philippines, indicating that extracts of the medicinal
plant Tinospora cordifolia had a similar clinical efficacy to 5% permethrin.
Treatment of nodular scabies with topical tacrolimus.
Mittal A, Garg A, Agarwal N, Gupta L, Khare AK.
Indian Dermatol Online J. 2013 Jan;4(1):52-3. doi: 10.4103/2229-5178.105486. No
abstract available
Trial including 10 patients to evaluate the efficacy of tacrolimus 0.03% ointment as
treatment of nodular scabies after treatment with with topical permethrin.
Comparative efficacy and safety of topical permethrin, topical ivermectin, and oral
ivermectin in patients of uncomplicated scabies.
Chhaiya SB, Patel VJ, Dave JN, Mehta DS, Shah HA.
Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2012 Sep-Oct;78(5):605-10. doi: 10.4103/0378-
6323.100571.
Trial including 315 patients to compare the efficacy of topical 5% permethrin versus
oral ivermectin 200 mcg/kg versus 1% topical ivermectin lotion.
Comparative trial of permethrin 5% versus lindane 1% for the treatment of scabies.
Goldust M, Babae Nejad S, Rezaee E, Raghifar R.
J Dermatolog Treat. 2013 Jan 20. [Epub ahead of print]
Trial including 220 patients to compare the efficacy of topical 5% permethrin versus
1% topical lindane.
Treatment of scabies using 8% and 10% topical sulfur ointment in different regimens
of application.
Sharquie KE, Al-Rawi JR, Noaimi AA, Al-Hassany HM.
J Drugs Dermatol. 2012 Mar;11(3):357-64.
Trial including 97 patients to evaluate 3 different therapeutic regimens of 8% and
10% topical precipitated sulfur in petrolatum ointment.
Acaricidal activity of petroleum ether extract of neem (Azadirachta indica) oil and its
four fractions separated by column chromatography against Sarcoptes scabiei var.
cuniculi larvae in vitro.
Deng Y, Shi D, Yin Z, Guo J, Jia R, Xu J, Song X, Lv C, Fan Q, Liang X, Shi F, Ye G,
Zhang W.
Exp Parasitol. 2012 Apr;130(4):475-7. doi: 10.1016/j.exppara.2012.02.007. Epub
2012 Feb 18.
Thin-layer chromatography separated the petroleum ether extract of neem oil into
four fractions of which two showed in vitro acaricidal activity of 68.3% and 100.0%.
An exploratory study to assess the activity of the acarine growth inhibitor, fluazuron,
against Sarcoptes scabei infestation in pigs.
Pasay C, Rothwell J, Mounsey K, Kelly A, Hutchinson B, Miezler A, McCarthy J.
Parasit Vectors. 2012 Feb 16;5:40. doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-5-40.
Trial in an experimental porcine scabies model to assess fluazuron for the treatment
of sarcoptic mange.
Acaricidal activity of extract from Eupatorium adenophorum against the Psoroptes
cuniculi and Sarcoptes scabiei in vitro.
Nong X, Fang CL, Wang JH, Gu XB, Yang DY, Liu TF, Fu Y, Zhang RH, Zheng WP,
Peng XR, Wang SX, Yang GY.
Vet Parasitol. 2012 Jun 8;187(1-2):345-9. doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.12.015. Epub
2011 Dec 23
In vitro assays indicated that Eupatorium adenophorum contains potent acaricidal
ingredients. The median lethal concentration (LC(50)) values of the extract tested
were 0.22 g/ml for scabies mites and 0.64 g/ml for P. cuniculi mites in 1h.
Clinical efficacy of botanical extracts from Eupatorium adenophorum against the
Sarcoptes scabiei (Sarcoptidae: Sarcoptes) in rabbits.
Nong X, Ren YJ, Wang JH, Xie Y, Fang CL, Yang DY, Liu TF, Zhang RH, Chen L,
Gu XB, Peng XR, Wang SX, Lai SJ, Yang GY.
Vet Parasitol. 2013 Jul 1;195(1-2):157-64. doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.02.020. Epub
2013 Feb 28
In vivo trial in rabbits indicating that the clinical effects of treatment with 1.0 and 0.5
g/ml Eupatorium adenophorum extracts were similar to ivermectin treatment.

Control strategies
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A. Recent reviews
Toward the global control of human scabies: introducing the international alliance for
the control of scabies.
Engelman D, Kiang K, Chosidow O, McCarthy J, Fuller C, Lammie P, Hay R, Steer A,
On Behalf Of The Members Of The International Alliance For The Control
Of Scabies.
PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2013 Aug;7(8):e2167. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002167.
Viewpoint launching IACS and outlining the importance and agenda for global
scabies control.
Opportunities to investigate the effects of ivermectin mass drug administration on
scabies.
Engelman D, Martin DL, Hay RJ, Chosidow O, McCarthy JS, Fuller LC, Steer AC.
Parasit Vectors. 2013 Apr 17;6:106. doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-106
Commentary to article below by Mohammed et al. Parasit Vectors. 2012 Dec
21;5:299. Partnering scabies research within the evaluation and monitoring of
Neglected Tropical Disease programmes could potentially increase our
understanding of the epidemiology and control of scabies and its important bacterial
complications.
Evaluation and management of pruritus and scabies in the elderly population.
Panuganti B, Tarbox M.
Clin Geriatr Med. 2013 May;29(2):479-99. doi: 10.1016/j.cger.2013.01.009
Scabies is a major source of outbreaks in aged care facilities, with atypical
presentation making diagnosis and control a particularly difficult in elderly
populations.
Scabies: a suitable case for a global control initiative.
Hay RJ, Steer AC, Chosidow O, Currie BJ.
Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2013 Apr;26(2):107-9. doi: 10.1097/QCO.0b013e32835e085b.
No abstract available.
Review summarizing the current situation and future prospects regarding coordinated
action to control scabies at a global level.
The elimination of scabies: a task for our generation.
McLean FE.
Int J Dermatol. 2013 Jul 8. doi: 10.1111/ijd.12101. [Epub ahead of print]
Increasing awareness of the long-term health consequences of scabies, and
securing financial and political support is the next step towards controlling this
neglected tropical disease on a global scale.

B. Research articles
Soil transmitted helminths and scabies in Zanzibar, Tanzania following mass drug
administration for lymphatic filariasis--a rapid assessment methodology to assess
impact.
Mohammed KA, Deb RM, Stanton MC, Molyneux DH.
Parasit Vectors. 2012 Dec 21;5:299. doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-5-299.
The impact of an annual ivermectin mass drug administration programme over a five
year period was a 90-98% decline in soil transmitted helminths and 68-98% decline
in scabies infections.

Mite biology & immunology
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a. Recent reviews
Novel insights into an old disease: recent developments in scabies mite biology.
Holt DC, Fischer K.
Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2013 Apr;26(2):110-5. doi: 10.1097/QCO.0b013e32835eb986.
Review summarizes the recent data on knowledge of mite biology, host specificity
and parasite host evasion mechanisms.
Scratching the itch: new tools to advance understanding of scabies.
Mounsey KE, McCarthy JS, Walton SF.
Trends Parasitol. 2013 Jan;29(1):35-42. doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2012.09.006. Epub 2012
Oct 19. Review.
Review summarizes recent molecular and immunologic advances on the
pathogenesis and diagnosis of scabies, aiming to identify priority research areas.
Immunology of scabies and translational outcomes: identifying the missing links.
Walton SF, Oprescu FI.
Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2013 Apr;26(2):116-22. doi: 10.1097/QCO.0b013e32835eb8a6.
Review outlining the current knowledge status related to the immunopathology of
scabies to inform future research activities in the field.
Intestinal proteases of free-living and parasitic astigmatid mites.
Holt DC, Burgess ST, Reynolds SL, Mahmood W, Fischer K.
Cell Tissue Res. 2013 Feb;351(2):339-52. doi: 10.1007/s00441-012-1369-9. Epub
2012 Mar 17
Review provides a comparison of mite gut proteases from three distinct species of
mites and proposes they play key roles in triggering and modulating host tissue
responses.
Scabies: important clinical consequences explained by new molecular studies.
Fischer K, Holt D, Currie B, Kemp D.
Adv Parasitol. 2012;79:339-73. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-398457-9.00005-6.
Review summarising some of the recent advances in basic research on scabies.

B. Research articles
Novel scabies mite serpins inhibit the three pathways of the human complement
system.
Mika A, Reynolds SL, Mohlin FC, Willis C, Swe PM, Pickering DA, Halilovic V,
Wijeyewickrema LC, Pike RN, Blom AM, Kemp DJ, Fischer K.
PLoS One. 2012;7(7):e40489. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0040489. Epub 2012 Jul 11
This work demonstrates that intestinal scabies mite serine protease inhibitors are
capable of inhibiting all three human complement pathways in vitro, likely protecting
the mites from complement-mediated damage.