Post-scabietic nodules: Mimicker of infantile indeterminate cell histiocytosis and potential diagnostic pitfall

Indeterminate cell histiocytosis (ICH) is an extremely rare disease and little is known about its etiology. Patients usually present with nodular, dermal proliferations of indeterminate cells, which characteristically resemble Langerhans cells but lack Birbeck granules. The clinical course is highly variable, ranging from spontaneous regression to rapid progression with reports of extracutaneous involvement, subsequent acute myeloid leukemias, and associated B-cell lymphomas. Rare cases of ICH-like reactions have been reported in the setting of scabies infestations as well as in patients who had been bitten by ticks and mosquitos. We present a successfully treated case of indeterminate cell-rich post scabietic nodules in an otherwise healthy 8-month-old boy and review the literature on similar cases. Clinical context is essential for correct interpretation of these indolent ICH-mimicking lesions, and to avert unnecessary patient anxiety and aggressive management.     

一起“挪威疥疮”医院内暴发与处置

目的调查某院一起疥疮医院感染暴发的原因和处置方法。方法 2013年5月该院因1例"挪威疥疮"患者误诊,引起医务人员疥疮医院感染暴发,该院医院感染控制科对暴发事件进行流行病学调查,并根据调查结果指导医疗及消毒隔离。结果医务人员及其家属,共计27人感染挪威疥疮。经积极药物治疗,患者病情逐渐好转;患者使用过的物品全部用塑料口袋包装密封1周后进行清洗消毒。经积极治疗加严格清洗消毒后,感染流行趋势得到控制,未再出现新发病例。结论挪威疥疮传染性高,可在局部地区造成流行,需提高医务人员对本病的诊断能力;一旦发生医院感染,应采取快速、有效措施,防止其蔓延、扩散。     

Unusual scalp crusted scabies in an adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma patient

A retrospective investigation was made of the occurrence of psychiatric symptoms among 441 patients operated on for primary hyperparathyroidism in Uppsala in 1956–79, and of the relationship between such symptoms and age, sex and degree of hypercalcaemia. A follow-up, using a mailed questionnaire, was carried out 4–27 years postoperatively.

Psychiatric symptoms were found in 23% of the patients (102/441). The patients with these symptoms had the same sex distribution and serum calcium levels as the other patients, but were significantly older. Severe symptoms occurred more frequently in older patients. Such symptoms were noted not only in patients with very high serum calcium values but also in association with mild or moderate hypercalcaemia.

The most common symptoms were depressive and anxiety states, which occurred in 78 patients. Psychosis with hallucinations and paranoid ideas was found in four patients. Eight patients had an organic brain syndrome and a further 12 patients had minor cerebral impairment.

At the follow-up half of the patients reported an improvement after the first postoperative year. Most of them considered that this improvement was sustained at the time of follow-up.

This study indicates that psychiatric symptoms are common among patients with hyperparathyroidism and can occur even with moderate hypercalcaemia. Elderly patients seem to be more vulnerable and more often develop severe symptoms such as psychosis or organic brain syndrome.     

Pharmacokinetics of ivermectin applied topically by whole‐body bathing method in healthy volunteers

As a novel administration method of ivermectin (IVM) for scabies treatment, we proposed a “whole‐body bathing method (WBBM)”. In this method, the patients would bathe themselves in a bathing fluid containing IVM at an effective concentration. Previously, we demonstrated that WBBM could deliver IVM to the skin but not to the plasma in rats. In the present study, to assess the clinical validity of the method an arm bathing examination (first trial) and a whole‐body bathing examination (second trial) were conducted in healthy volunteers. In both the first and second trials, after bathing in fluid containing IVM, the exposure in the stratum corneum was higher compared with that after taking IVM p.o. as reported previously. IVM was not detected in plasma at any sampling point after the whole‐body bathing in the second trial. Furthermore no serious adverse events were found. These results in both trials suggest that WBBM can deliver IVM to the human stratum corneum without systemic exposure or serious adverse effects in healthy volunteers, and at concentrations that would be adequate for scabies treatment.     

Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of scabies in Japan (third edition)

In the current work, we present our new guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of scabies which we, the Executive Committee convened by the Japanese Dermatological Association, developed to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment of scabies in Japan. Approval of phenothrin topical use under the National Health Insurance in August 2014 led to this action. Permethrin, a topical anti‐scabietic medication belonging to the same pyrethroid group as phenothrin, is already in use worldwide. In this guideline, we introduce criteria for a proper diagnosis of scabies, treatment algorithm for common and crusted (hyperkeratotic) scabies, and prevention. The major change from our second edition is the treatment algorithm. As phenothrin is now available, the first‐line therapy for common scabies is either topical phenothrin lotion or oral ivermectin. The second‐line option for topical treatment is sulfur‐containing ointments, crotamiton cream or benzyl benzoate lotion. γ‐Benzene hexachloride ointment is no longer provided for clinical use. In an immunosuppressed patient, the treatment option is still the same, but with close follow up. If the symptoms persist, diagnosis and treatment must be reassessed. For hyperkeratotic scabies and nail scabies, removal of thick crust, cutting of nails and occlusive dressing are additionally required. The safety and effectiveness of combined treatment with topical and oral medications are not yet confirmed. Further assessment is needed. In addition to appropriate treatment, it is essential to educate patients and health‐care workers and to conduct epidemiological studies to prevent further spread of the disease through effectively utilizing available resources including manpower, finance, logistics and time.     

Current treatments for scabies

Scabies is a frequent interhuman ectoparasitic infection. Several treatments are available worldwide. There are local treatments: synthetic pyrethrins, benzyl benzoate, lindane, crotamiton. Recently a few studies were published concerning ivermectin, systemic antiparasitic agent use in onchocercosis treatment. We reviewed the literature with an evidence‐based medicine method. We attempt to answer two questions in particular: what is the treatment of choice for common scabies in a patient otherwise in good health? What is the role of systemic ivermectin? We also report specific situations. Among local treatments, studies are heterogeneous according to products, countries, group of treated patients, with or without contact subjects, and the method of treatment application. There are very few high proof‐level controlled studies. In France, a combination of benzyl benzoate 10% and sulfiram 2% is used most, according to professional consensus. The most studied product is the cream permethrin 5%, available in the USA and UK. Its efficacy seems slightly superior to lindane and less toxic. It is more efficient than crotamiton. There is no study comparing benzyl benzoate and permethrin. Concerning systemic ivermectin, five controlled studies showed its efficiency in common scabies. But its relative efficiency over local treatment has not been established. A few open studies showed its efficacy in institutional epidemic, profuse scabies and in HIV‐positive patients. Local treatment of choice in common scabies remains to be determined among the four principal molecules. There is no study comparing permethrin or esdepallethrin to benzyl benzoate. In what cases should we prescribe crotamiton or lindane? Indication of ivermectin seems proved in common scabies and probably for HIV‐positive patients. It remains to be determined if it should be prescribed in the first instance, be double or triple, be associated or not with local treatment. In case of keratotic scabies, ivermectin seems interesting with two applications within 1 week, and should be associated with local treatment (duration remains to be defined). Ivermectin is probably useful in institutional epidemic, and therapeutic attitude remains to be defined. Ivermectin seems to have little or no risk. Treatment must be adapted case‐by‐case, according to feasibility. It is still important to treat contacts, and modality of this treatment remains to be specified.