Crusted scabies: A molecular analysis of Sarcoptes scabiei variety hominis populations from patients with repeated infestations

Abstract

Crusted scabies is a severe debilitating disease due to hyperinfestation with the ectoparasite Sarcoptes scabiei. Treatment protocols include oral ivermectin and topical scabicides. After single-dose ivermectin, there may be early recrudescence, whereas after 3 doses at 14-day intervals, there is an apparent cure. However, such patients often present again after 6-12 months. To clarify the biology of recurrence, we studied genetic markers in sequential populations of S. scabiei mites from treated patients with multiple episodes of crusted scabies. Individual mites were genotyped at hypervariable microsatellite loci by a fluorescence-based polymerase chain reaction. Results indicated that seq..