Investigating the Antibacterial Properties of Prospective Scabicides

Scabies is a dermatological disease found worldwide. Mainly in tropical regions, it is also the cause of significant morbidity and mortality due to its association with potentially severe secondary bacterial infections. Current treatment strategies for scabies do not consider the role of opportunistic bacteria, and here we investigate whether current and emerging scabicides can offer any anti-bacterial protection. Using the broth microdilution method, we examined antimicrobial potential of the current scabicide ivermectin and emerging scabies treatments: abametapir, manuka oil, and its individual beta-triketones. Our results demonstrate that the two novel scabicides abametapir and manuka oil have antimicrobial properties against common scabies-associated bacteria, specifically Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis and Acinetobacter baumannii. The current scabicide ivermectin offers some antimicrobial activity and is capable of inhibiting the growth aforementioned bacteria. This research is important as it could help to inform future best treatment options of scabies, and scabies-related impetigo.

Automated summary

This study investigates the antimicrobial potential of current and emerging scabicides and finds that both abametapir and manuka oil have antimicrobial properties against common scabies-associated bacteria. The current scabicide ivermectin also shows some antimicrobial activity.