Scabies Signs and Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms

Introduction

Diagnosis is made based on clinical presentation and can be confirmed by microscopic identification of mites, eggs or mite feces
Scabies should be suspected in a patient who presents with a highly pruritic rash with nocturnal predominance
- Scabies is highly suggested if there is also a history of contact with an infected person or if there is a history of contact with family member or sexual partner who has pruritic lesions with nocturnal predominance

Scabies is caused by the mite: Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis
Occurs more often in children <15 years, sexually active young adults, the immunocompromised and in persons living in crowded living conditions (eg nursing homes, military barracks)
Transmission is typically by direct skin contact with an infected person and in adults, sexual transmission is common
- Though there is limited documentation, transmission by fomites may be possible (especially in cases of crusted scabies where a large amount of parasites are involved)
- The mites can live for up to 30 days on a host and remain alive for 3 days on furniture, bedding, etc

Signs and Symptoms

Primary symptom is generalized pruritus, which is usually worse at night
- Pruritus is caused by a delayed (type IV) hypersensitivity reaction to the mite and its products (saliva, eggs and feces) once the host becomes sensitized
- Hypersensitivity occurs 3-6 weeks after infestation but occurs in 1-3 days with re-infestation because the host has been previously sensitized

Current management of nosocomial and community-acquired pneumonia in ICU patients with novel antibiotics

Prof. Andrew Shorr, 27 Aug 2021

Nosocomial pneumonia serves as a paradigm for all severe infections, and appropriate antibiotic therapy is the key determinant of patient outcomes. Most data for the use of antibiotics are derived from studies in non-ICU patients and ignore critical care issues such as fluid resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, and changing renal function. Against the backdrop of increasing antimicrobial resistance and the COVID-19 pandemic, how do we optimize antibiotic administration in the ICU? Professor Andrew Shorr from Washington Hospital Center, Georgetown University, Washington DC, US discussed this burning issue at a Pfizer-sponsored satellite symposium, held during the Asia Pacific Intensive Care Symposium (APICS) 2021.

Multipathogen testing an essential part of Test-Target-Treat strategy for respiratory illnesses

Dr. Mohan Ravuru, Dr. Johnny Sinon, Assoc Prof. Nuntra Suwantarat, 16 Dec 2022

At a recent webinar, experts discussed the paradigm shift in respiratory illnesses and treatment practices as the COVID-19 pandemic transitions to an endemic phase. The late Dr Mohan Ravuru, Physician Researcher and former Asia Pacific Medical Director, Abbott, Dr Johnny Sinon, Senior Emergency Physician from Makati Medical Center, Philippines, and Associate Professor Nuntra Suwantarat, Infectious Disease Specialist, from Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Thailand, delivered informative presentations and engaged the audience through a stimulating panel discussion.

Among the topics covered were the ‘immunity debt’ phenomenon leading to potential epidemics, challenges in the differential diagnosis of COVID-19 and influenza, and the importance of point-of-care, multipathogen testing as a part of the Test-Target-Treat strategy in respiratory diseases.

Management of multidrug-resistant organisms in paediatric patients: Role of newer antimicrobial agents

Assoc Prof. Louis Grandjean, Adj Asst Prof. Natalie Tan, 01 Jul 2022

The management of multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections in children is complex, with limited studies and a relative lack of approved new antibiotics with paediatric indications.

At a recent Meet-the-Expert session, Dr Louis Grandjean, Consultant in Paediatric Infectious Diseases at Great Ormond Street Hospital and Associate Professor at University College, London, UK, addressed the growing threat of MDR infections in children and discussed treatment strategies and options for management. He focused on ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ-AVI, Zavicefta^®), whose approval in Singapore was recently expanded to include paediatric patients aged 3 months and older.

Adj Asst Prof Natalie Tan, Senior Consultant at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore, chaired this webinar, which was organized by Pfizer under the auspices of the Singapore Paediatric Society and KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital.