B Leppard1, A E Naburi. 1. Regional Dermatology Training Centre, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Ivermectin is a potentially useful treatment for scabies. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ivermectin in the treatment of scabies in an institutional environment. METHODS: A single dose of ivermectin 150 microg kg-1 was given under supervision to 1153 prisoners in a prison in northern Tanzania where there was an outbreak of scabies. RESULTS: Thirty per cent of the prisoners were cured after 1 week, 88% after 4 weeks and 95.5% after 8 weeks. Of 16 prisoners with crusted scabies, seven (44%) still had scabies after 8 weeks. Those who were not cured were then treated with 1% lindane lotion topically, as were the prison staff who had scabies. This regimen eradicated scabies from the prison for the next 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Ivermectin is an effective and safe treatment for scabies, particularly in a closed community, such as a prison, where it is easy to administer and avoids problems with compliance. It was of limited efficiency in crusted scabies as a single dose and we recommend that for such patients oral ivermectin is used in combination with a topical scabicide.
BACKGROUND: Ivermectin is a potentially useful treatment for scabies. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ivermectin in the treatment of scabies in an institutional environment. METHODS: A single dose of ivermectin 150 microg kg-1 was given under supervision to 1153 prisoners in a prison in northern Tanzania where there was an outbreak of scabies. RESULTS: Thirty per cent of the prisoners were cured after 1 week, 88% after 4 weeks and 95.5% after 8 weeks. Of 16 prisoners with crusted scabies, seven (44%) still had scabies after 8 weeks. Those who were not cured were then treated with 1% lindane lotion topically, as were the prison staff who had scabies. This regimen eradicated scabies from the prison for the next 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Ivermectin is an effective and safe treatment for scabies, particularly in a closed community, such as a prison, where it is easy to administer and avoids problems with compliance. It was of limited efficiency in crusted scabies as a single dose and we recommend that for such patients oral ivermectin is used in combination with a topical scabicide.
Authors: Katarzyna Bartosik; Andrzej Tytuła; Zbigniew Zając; Weronika Buczek; Anita Jasztal-Kniażuk; Paweł Szczepan Błaszkiewicz; Adam Borzęcki Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-08-21 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Karin Haar; Lucia Romani; Raikanikoda Filimone; Kamal Kishore; Meciusela Tuicakau; Josefa Koroivueta; John M Kaldor; Handan Wand; Andrew Steer; Margot Whitfeld Journal: Int J Dermatol Date: 2013-10-29 Impact factor: 2.736