Impetigo: A need for new therapies in a world of increasing antimicrobial resistance.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection and is one of the most common skin infections in children. Antibiotics are the first-line treatment when multiple lesions exist, but with an increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria the successful management of impetigo in the future is an area of concern. COMMENT: Current treatment options that favour the use of oral antibiotic therapy are increasingly problematic. Widespread use of these agents contributes to antimicrobial resistance and has adverse consequences for individuals and communities. There is a need for new topical antimicrobials and antiseptics as an alternative treatment strategy. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: To successfully treat impetigo into the future and ensure that therapy does not contribute to bacterial resistance, additional research is required to ascertain the usefulness of alternative agents, including new topical antimicrobials and antiseptics.

Scabies-An ancient itch that is still rampant today.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Scabies is recognized as a neglected tropical disease responsible for a substantial health and economic burden, especially in resource-poor communities around the world. COMMENT: There are relatively few current treatment options for scabies, and they possess important limitations. The treatments are ineffective in preventing relapse, inflammatory skin reactions and associated bacterial skin infections. There are also safety concerns, especially in children and pregnant women. Furthermore, there has been the emergence of resistance among scabies mites to the classical acaricides. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: More research needs to be devoted to developing new treatments for scabies.