Nosocomial scabies

Scabies is a parasitic dermatosis with a worldwide distribution. This infestation affects millions of people annually and may cause large nosocomial outbreaks with considerable morbidity among patients and healthcare workers. Immunocompromised or elderly institutionalized patients admitted with unrecognized crusted scabies are the main source of nosocomial transmission. Factors that facilitate the development of hospital-acquired scabies and nosocomial epidemics are: poor knowledge of scabies epidemiology, unfamiliarity of healthcare workers with atypical presentations, tong incubation period, diagnostic delay and incomplete monitoring. Within hospitals, containment of an outbreak relies on the strict implementation of appropriate infection control measures and treatment administration to contacts. It is associated with a considerable working and economic burden. (c) 2006 The Hospital Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.