We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Short report: The potential of PCR on skin flakes from bed linens for diagnosis of scabies in an outbreak.
- Authors
Tjon-Kon-Fat, Raïssa; Peckeu, Laurène; Hahné, Susan; de Coster, Eric; Tas, Wendy; Wintermans, Bas; Bergmans, Anneke; Petrignani, Mariska; Fanoy, Ewout
- Abstract
Background: Scabies outbreaks are common in nursing homes in the Netherlands. In October 2018, a local public health service (PHS) in The Hague was notified of a new scabies outbreak in a nursing home in that region. The PHS initiated an outbreak investigation. Cases were defined as: possible (reported symptoms), probable (scabies-like lesions) and confirmed (PCR or microscopy in skin flakes). Head-to-toe examinations were performed of all residents and those staff members who reported symptoms suggestive of scabies. Skin scrapings of lesions were tested either with microscopy or by PCR. Experimentally for case finding, skin flakes from bed linens of residents who reported symptoms of itchiness but did not have primary lesions were sent for PCR testing. Principal findings: All residents (41) and 37/44 staff were included in this outbreak investigation. We identified 30 possible, four probable and six confirmed cases. The overall attack rate for probable/confirmed cases was 10/78 (13%). Of the six confirmed cases, two were confirmed by PCR, three by microscopy, and one showed positive findings with both techniques. Two out of the three bed-linen specimens were PCR-positive. Conclusions: In this outbreak of scabies in a nursing home, PCR was used on skin flakes from bed linens, which led to the detection of two additional cases. This illustrates the potential of PCR during the investigation of scabies outbreaks. Author summary: Scabies is a very common skin condition that is caused by tiny mites that lay eggs in the skin. One of the first symptoms that are reported by persons who are infested with scabies is intense itching, especially at night. Typically a rash occurs which affects certain parts of the body, for instance between the fingers. Without treatment scabies could lead to secondary skin infections caused by bacteria due to persistent scratching. Outbreaks of scabies tend to occur in settings where people live in close quarters, such as nursing homes. In October 2018 there was an outbreak of scabies in a nursing home in the region of The Hague in the Netherlands. Of the 78 staff members and residents included in the investigation, ten persons had typical lesions or tested positive for scabies using PCR and/or microscopy on skin samples. For two persons who tested positive for scabies, PCR test was done on skin samples from bed linens. Testing of skin samples from bed linens is a technique not previously used for the diagnosis of scabies prior to the current investigation. This illustrates the potential of using this technique to help diagnose scabies during outbreaks.
- Subjects
HAGUE (Netherlands); NETHERLANDS; SCABIES; DIAGNOSIS; SKIN infections; NURSING care facilities; PUBLIC health; SKIN tests
- Publication
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2021, Vol 15, Issue 6, p1
- ISSN
1935-2727
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009485