Scratching the surface: scabies in the South-West Pacific region
- Author:
Kylie Carville
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:
Papua New Guinea medical journal
2018;61(1-4):63-70
- CountryPapua New Guinea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Papua New Guinea and other Pacific Island countries suffer from a substantial burden of scabies, with prevalence estimates from different areas of different countries ranging from 4% to 87%. Scabies causes intense itching and severe itch-related sleep disturbance. Scabies lesions are often secondarily infected by bacteria, mostly Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. Streptococcal infections can progress to acute glomerulonephritis, and possibly acute rheumatic fever. There is not yet a consensus on the best approach to scabies treatment, although treatment of entire communities is required and the use of ivermectin in mass drug administration strategies is gaining favour.
