ABSTRACT
In the current scabies pandemic, classic scabies is seen less frequently and special forms are becoming more common. The diagnosis of scabies has become, therefore, a challenge for clinicians. The well-known scabietic burrow is seen only very rarely today and, therefore, pathognomonic as it is, the diagnosis of scabies should not rely on this clinical sign. In our experience, examination of skin scrapings mounted on a slide with saline is the most practical bedside method and ideal for screening patients with suspected scabies. It is easy to perform, requires neither sophisticated tools nor special skill, and can be done in less than five minutes by every practitioner.
Subject(s)
Scabies/diagnosis , Animals , Diagnosis, Differential , Disease Outbreaks , Humans , Hydroxides , Microscopy , Mineral Oil , Mites/anatomy & histology , Potassium Compounds , Scabies/classification , Skin/parasitology , Sodium ChlorideABSTRACT
The hair follicle mites Demodex folliculorum and D. brevis are the most common permanent ectoparasites of Man. Ordinarily they are harmless to their human host and appear to be of no medical significance. We present, however, an unusual finding regarding this mite, namely, that in a potassium hydroxide mount of a skin scraping from a mycotic plaque we found numerous Demodex mites containing inside them spores of Microsporum canis. This could mean that the putatively inoffensive Demodex has the potential to ingest various microorganisms that are found in its niche and transport them to other areas of the skin or possibly to other individuals.
