ABSTRACT
The scabies mite was rediscovered by Raspail and Renucci in 1834, who described the relationship between the mite and the disease. The prevalence of scabies in rural areas of Africa and developing countries ranges between 2—19%. Not every individual exposed to an infested individual, irrespective of either the proximity, duration, or the severity of the infestation will develop scabies. Herd immunity has been proposed to explain cyclical prevalence of scabies. But the data from well reported groups indicate that herd immunity to scabies does not occur, and epidemics continue until eliminated by systemic treatment. Scabies may present atypically as either crusted or anergic when the helper T-cell count is less than 200. A scabies infestation in AIDS may permit a mite transmission of HIV when scratching produces blood that is ingested. HIV patients may require treatment with Elimite several times a week for multiple weeks. However, caution should be used to prevent excessive treatment which will produce irritation and itching.
