Abstract | BACKGROUND: 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.
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Authors | B Leppard, A E Naburi |
Journal | The British journal of dermatology
(Br J Dermatol)
Vol. 143
Issue 3
Pg. 520-3
(Sep 2000)
ISSN: 0007-0963 [Print] England |
PMID | 10971323
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antiprotozoal Agents
- Insecticides
- Hexachlorocyclohexane
- Ivermectin
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Antiprotozoal Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Disease Outbreaks
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Female
- Hexachlorocyclohexane
(therapeutic use)
- Humans
- Infant
- Insecticides
(therapeutic use)
- Ivermectin
(therapeutic use)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Prisons
- Scabies
(drug therapy, epidemiology)
- Tanzania
(epidemiology)
- Treatment Outcome
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