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BMC Infectious Diseases May 2020Scabies is an infectious disease that affects the skin caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei and it transmitted through close personal contact. Even though it is easily... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Scabies is an infectious disease that affects the skin caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei and it transmitted through close personal contact. Even though it is easily treatable disease, its prevalence is high and continuous as neglected tropical disease of resource-poor settings, and particularly affects young age groups. Despite of these facts, studies conducted in Ethiopia regarding to the prevalence and associated factors for scabies infestation have been highly variable and didn't well compiled. Due to that, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to estimates the overall prevalence of scabies and associated factors in all age groups in Ethiopia.
METHODS
International databases (PubMed/PMC/Midline, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Google and Science Direct) were systematically searched from December 1, 2019, to January 18, 2020. All observational studies noted the prevalence of human scabies and associated factors in Ethiopia were included. Two authors (AG and G.T) independently extracted all necessary data using a standardized data extraction format. The data which is extracted each study were analyzed using STATA Version 14.1. Heterogeneity among the included studies was assessed through the Cochrane Q test statistics and I test. Lastly, a random effects meta-analysis model was computed to fix overall prevalence and associated factors of scabies.
RESULTS
Twelve studies were included in this meta-analysis after 410 articles retrieved. Of these, eight studies were analyzed for prevalence estimation. The overall prevalence of scabies infestation was 14.5% (95%CI: 1.5, 27.6%) in Ethiopia. Furthermore, the subgroup analysis revealed the highest prevalence was 19.6% in Amhara region. A person from a large family size (OR: 3.1, 95% CI: 1.76, 5.67), and sharing a bed (OR: 3.59, 95%CI: 2.88, 4.47) were significantly associated with scabies.
CONCLUSION
This study revealed the prevalence of scabies infestation was 14.5% in Ethiopia which was high. Persons from high family size and any contact with scabies case were factors associated with scabies.
Topics: Animals; Ethiopia; Family Characteristics; Humans; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Sarcoptes scabiei; Scabies; Skin
PubMed: 32460770
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-020-05106-3 -
The New England Journal of Medicine Aug 2017
Topics: Aged; Animals; Diagnostic Errors; Humans; Male; Sarcoptes scabiei; Scabies; Skin
PubMed: 28767353
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMicm1616169 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Feb 2023Scabies commonly affects poor populations in low-middle-income countries. The WHO has advocated for country-driven and country-owned control strategies. Knowledge of...
BACKGROUND
Scabies commonly affects poor populations in low-middle-income countries. The WHO has advocated for country-driven and country-owned control strategies. Knowledge of context specific issues will be important for design and implementation of scabies control interventions. We aimed to assess beliefs, attitudes and practices towards scabies in central Ghana.
METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
Data was collected via semi-structured questionnaires for people who had active scabies or scabies in the past year and people who never had scabies in the past. The questionnaire covered several domains: knowledge about the causes and risk factors; perceptions towards stigmatisation and consequences of scabies in daily life; and treatment practices. Out of 128 participants, 67 were in the (former) scabies group and had a mean age of 32.3 ± 15.6 years. Overall scabies group participants less often indicated a factor to predispose to scabies than community controls; only 'family/friends contacts' was more often mentioned in the scabies group. Scabies causation was attributed to poor hygiene, traditional beliefs, heredity and drinking water. Individuals with scabies delay care seeking (median time from symptom onset to visiting the health centre was 21 [14 - 30] days) and this delay is enhanced by their beliefs (like witchcraft and curses) and a perception of limited disease severity. Compared to past scabies participants in the dermatology clinic, participants with past scabies in the community tended to have a longer delay (median [IQR] 30 [14-48.8] vs 14 [9.5-30] days, p = 0.002). Scabies was associated with health consequences, stigma, and loss of productivity.
CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE
Early diagnosis and effective treatment of scabies can lead to persons less frequently associating scabies with witchcraft and/ or curses. There is the need to enhance health education to promote early care seeking, enhance knowledge of communities on impact and dispel negative perceptions about scabies in Ghana.
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Young Adult; Adult; Middle Aged; Scabies; Ghana; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Risk Factors
PubMed: 36812249
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011175 -
American Family Physician Sep 2012
Topics: Animals; Humans; Lice Infestations; Phthiraptera; Pruritus; Scabies
PubMed: 23062053
DOI: No ID Found -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Sep 2022Scabies and its complications are a public health problem in the low- and middle-income countries of the Western Pacific region. However, no data are available for the... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Scabies incidence and association with skin and soft tissue infection in Loyalty Islands Province, New Caledonia: A 15-year retrospective observational study using electronic health records.
BACKGROUND
Scabies and its complications are a public health problem in the low- and middle-income countries of the Western Pacific region. However, no data are available for the relatively wealthy French territory of New Caledonia. This study aimed to determine the incidence of scabies and its association with skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) in Loyalty Islands Province (LIP) (20,000 inhabitants), New Caledonia.
METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
This retrospective observational study reviewed cases of scabies and SSTI extracted from the electronic health record databases of LIP clinics for the period 2004-2018. Data were validated through double sampling. The overall scabies incidence rate (IR) and scabies IRs by sex and age group were calculated. Scabies seasonality was evaluated. For children <5 years, the presence of SSTI was compared between the 3-month period preceding scabies diagnosis/treatment and the 3-month period preceding the 1-year anniversary of scabies diagnosis/treatment (self-matching). A total of 16,843 scabies cases were extracted using a detection algorithm with a sensitivity of 96.7% and a specificity of 99.9%. From 2004 to 2018, the average overall scabies IR was 5.9% and the average scabies IR in children <1 year was 18.4%. Almost two-thirds of children aged 14 years had a history of scabies. Females were more affected, especially in the 20-39 age group (sex ratio>2). A strong seasonality was observed, with a 30% increase in winter. In children <5 years, SSTIs were 4.3 times more frequent in the 3 months preceding the scabies diagnosis than in the 3 months preceding the 1-year anniversary of scabies treatment (p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Although health care is much better in New Caledonia than in neighboring countries, scabies is highly endemic in LIP. The disease is especially common in children <2 years and is associated with many SSTIs in children <5 years. Mass drug administration should be considered.
Topics: Adult; Child; Electronic Health Records; Female; Humans; Incidence; New Caledonia; Scabies; Soft Tissue Infections; Young Adult
PubMed: 36067187
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010717 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jul 2007Scabies is an intensely itchy parasitic infection of the skin caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. It is a common public health problem with an estimated global... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Scabies is an intensely itchy parasitic infection of the skin caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. It is a common public health problem with an estimated global prevalence of 300 million cases. Serious adverse effects have been reported for some drugs used to treat scabies.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate topical and systemic drugs for treating scabies.
SEARCH STRATEGY
In February 2007, we searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group Specialized Register, CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library 2006, Issue 1), MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, and INDMED. In March 2007, we also searched the grey literature and sources for registered trials. We also checked the reference lists of retrieved studies.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomized controlled trials of drug treatments for scabies.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Results were presented as relative risks with 95% confidence intervals and data combined where appropriate.
MAIN RESULTS
Twenty small trials involving 2392 people were included. One trial was placebo controlled, 16 compared two or more drug treatments, two compared treatment regimens, and one compared different drug vehicles.Fewer treatment failures occurred by day seven with oral ivermectin in one small trial (55 participants). Topical permethrin appeared more effective than oral ivermectin (85 participants, 1 trial), topical crotamiton (194 participants, 2 trials), and topical lindane (753 participants, 5 trials). Permethrin also appeared more effective in reducing itch persistence than either crotamiton (94 participants, 1 trial) or lindane (490 participants, 2 trials). One small trial did not detect a difference between permethrin (a synthetic pyrethroid) and a natural pyrethrin-based topical treatment (40 participants). No significant difference was detected in the number of treatment failures between crotamiton and lindane (100 participants, 1 trial), lindane and sulfur (68 participants, 1 trial), benzyl benzoate and sulfur (158 participants, 1 trial), and benzyl benzoate and natural synergized pyrethrins (240 participants, 1 trial); all were topical treatments. No trials of malathion were identified. No serious adverse events were reported. A number of trials reported skin reactions in participants randomized to topical treatments. There were occasional reports of headache, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, and hypotension.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Topical permethrin appears to be the most effective treatment for scabies. Ivermectin appears to be an effective oral treatment. More research is needed on the effectiveness of malathion, particularly when compared to permethrin, and on the management of scabies in an institutional setting and at a community level.
Topics: Adult; Benzoates; Child; Hexachlorocyclohexane; Humans; Insecticides; Ivermectin; Pyrethrins; Scabies; Sulfur; Toluidines
PubMed: 17636630
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000320.pub2 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Jun 2022Scabies is a global health concern disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations such as refugees and asylum seekers. Greece is a main point of entry in Europe for...
BACKGROUND
Scabies is a global health concern disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations such as refugees and asylum seekers. Greece is a main point of entry in Europe for refugees, but epidemiological data on scabies in this population are scarce. We aimed to describe the epidemiology of scabies, including trends over the study period.
METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
Data were collected from June, 2016 to July, 2020, using the surveillance system of the Greek National Public Health Organization. Daily reports on scabies and other infectious diseases were submitted by staff at health centers for refugees/asylum seekers. Observed proportional morbidity for scabies was calculated using consultations for scabies as a proportion of total consultations. There were a total of 13118 scabies cases over the study period. Scabies was the third most frequently observed infectious disease in refugees/asylum seekers population after respiratory infections and gastroenteritis without blood in the stool. The scabies monthly observed proportional morbidity varied between 0.3% (August 2017) to 5.7% (January 2020). Several outbreaks were documented during the study period. The number of cases increased from October 2019 until the end of the study period, with a peak of 1663 cases in January 2020, related to an outbreak at one center. Spearman correlation test between the number of reported scabies cases and time confirmed an increasing trend (ρ = 0.67).
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE
Scabies is one of the most frequently reported infectious diseases by health care workers in refugee/asylum seekers centers in Greece. Observed proportional morbidity for scabies increased over time and there were several outbreaks. The current surveillance system with daily reports of the new cases effectively detects new cases in an early stage. Public health interventions, including mass drug administration, should be considered to reduce the burden of scabies in refugee/migrant populations.
Topics: Communicable Diseases; Delivery of Health Care; Greece; Humans; Refugees; Scabies
PubMed: 35731821
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010153 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Jun 2021Scabies is a neglected tropical disease of the skin, causing severe itching, stigmatizing skin lesions and systemic complications. Since 2015, the DerMalawi project...
BACKGROUND
Scabies is a neglected tropical disease of the skin, causing severe itching, stigmatizing skin lesions and systemic complications. Since 2015, the DerMalawi project provide an integrated skin diseases clinics and Tele-dermatology care in Malawi. Clinic based data suggested a progressive increase in scabies cases observed. To better identify and treat individuals with scabies in the region, we shifted from a clinic-based model to a community based outreach programme.
METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
From May 2015, DerMalawi project provide integrated skin diseases and Tele-dermatological care in the Nkhotakota and Salima health districts in Malawi. Demographic and clinical data of all patients personally attended are recorded. Due to a progressive increase in the number of cases of scabies the project shifted to a community-based outreach programme. For the community outreach activities, we conducted three visits between 2018 to 2019 and undertook screening in schools and villages of Alinafe Hospital catchment area. Treatment was offered for all the cases and school or household contacts. Scabies increased from 2.9% to 39.2% of all cases seen by the DerMalawi project at clinics between 2015 to 2018. During the community-based activities approximately 50% of the population was assessed in each of three visits. The prevalence of scabies was similar in the first two rounds, 15.4% (2392) at the first visit and 17.2% at the second visit. The prevalence of scabies appeared to be lower (2.4%) at the third visit. The prevalence of impetigo appeared unchanged and was 6.7% at the first visit and 5.2% at the final visit.
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE
Prevalence of scabies in our setting was very high suggesting that scabies is a major public health problem in parts of Malawi. Further work is required to more accurately assess the burden of disease and develop appropriate public health strategies for its control.
Topics: Acaricides; Adolescent; Adult; Child; Child, Preschool; Community Health Services; Female; Humans; Infant; Malawi; Male; Rural Population; Scabies; Young Adult
PubMed: 34061851
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009386 -
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) Sep 2005
Review
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Complementary Therapies; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Insecticides; Male; Medical History Taking; Prognosis; Risk Factors; Scabies
PubMed: 16166133
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.331.7517.619 -
BMC Veterinary Research Oct 2023Sarcoptic mange is a common, pruritic parasitic skin disease of dogs. Due to its highly contagious character, it represents a potential veterinary and public health... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Sarcoptic mange is a common, pruritic parasitic skin disease of dogs. Due to its highly contagious character, it represents a potential veterinary and public health risk. Because of clinical similarity with other diseases, cross-antigenicity, and low sensitivity of available diagnostic methods, therapeutical trial is frequently used to confirm the disease. Considering the variety of available acaricidal molecules as well as the need to use the most effective treatment, the present paper reviews evidence comparing different types of systemic treatment of canine scabies.
RESULTS
Analysis of the results showed that afoxolaner, fluralaner and sarolaner as well as several macrocyclic lactones such as selamectin, moxidectin and milbemycin oxime can lead to parasitological and clinical cure.
CONCLUSION
The similarity in the clinical and parasitological efficacy of these substances enhances the need for comparative studies, which could allow the identification of the most efficacious product.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Scabies; Dog Diseases; Acaricides; Administration, Cutaneous; Treatment Outcome; Sarcoptes scabiei
PubMed: 37798627
DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03759-1