ABSTRACT
Transmission of animal scabies to human is probably rare because of the relative host specificity of the mites. However, recurrent exposure to animal scabies mites can produce troublesome and diagnostically puzzling lesions. We report herein on a human infestation of canine scabies and this occurred in a 26-year-old male who presented with a 4-month history of severe pruritic skin lesions. His puppy was diagnosed with scabies infestation by a veterinarian two months previously. Since that time, he no longer raised the puppy. Microscopic examination of a mineral oil preparation after scraping the papules revealed a mite. He was diagnosed with canine scabies.
Subject(s)
Adult , Animals , Humans , Male , Host Specificity , Mineral Oil , Mites , Scabies , Skin , VeterinariansABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Canine scabies is caused by an infestation of Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis (S. canis) in dogs and they can be transmitted to humans. Recently pet raising has been increasing in Korea and various parasitic infestations contracted from them have also been increasing including canine scabies. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical and histopathological features of experimental canine scabies. METHODS: Two dogs experimentally infested were observed for a year. They were examined physically and the numbers of S. cans were counted from scraping samples of the ear, leg and abdomen every 3 to 7 days and skin biopsies were taken. One was given systemic corticosteroids(Dogl) and the other was observed in its natural course(Dog2). RESULTS: Dogl-Clinically severely pruritic, markedly thick hyperkeratotic scales, crust and generalized erythema on the whole body developed with huge numbers(up to 754.9/100mg from scales of the abdomen) of mites, and histopathologically showed features similar to human crusted scabies. Dog2-Clinically showed milder features than Dogl including the number of S. canis(up to 242.6/100mg from scales of the ear), but histopathologically showed similar features with Dogl. Dog2 also showed a prompt response to one topical application of 20% benzyl benzoate solution. CONCLUSIONS: 1) The number of S. canis increased markedly in both normal and corticosteroidtreated dogs, although it was more significantly increased in the corticosteroid-treated one. 2) Histopathology showed features similar to classical scabies in the early stage but features of human crusted scabies in the full-blown stage. 3) Morphologically Sarcoptes canis differs from Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis.
Subject(s)
Animals , Dogs , Humans , Abdomen , Benzoates , Biopsy , Ear , Erythema , Korea , Leg , Mites , Sarcoptes scabiei , Scabies , Skin , Weights and MeasuresABSTRACT
We present herein a case of human infestation of canine scabies occuring in a 7l-year-old female patient. Severe pruritic, erythematous papular lesions and excoriation were found over the abdomen, submammary area, and thigh. The itching sensation was aggravated especially at night. Efforts to demonstrate mites from the lesiona of the patient were unsuccessful. Her pet, a small puppy, showed loss of hair and crusted or scaly erythematous patches on the auricles and trunk 1 month prior to her skin lesions. Sarcaptescabiei var. canis were collected from the puppy by brushing the hair snd crusted or scaly patches on its skin. The patient and puppy were treated successfully with application of 25% benzyl benzoate solution.