Skin, Scabies [LMP50841]

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Diagnostic Modality: 
Whole Slide Image
Disease Category: 
Infectious Diseases
Diagnosis: 
Scabies
Species: 
Human
Organ System: 
Skin
Gender: 
Male
Age: 
66 years
Diagnosis Code: 
ICD-10: B86
Slide Contributor Information
Yoon, J., Al-Habeeb, A.

Keywords

scabies, parasite, parasitic, Sarcoptes scabei

Clinical History

66-year old with pruritic, erythematous papules.

Clinical Discussion

Scabies is a skin infestation, caused in humans by scabies mite Sarcoptes scabiei variety hominis. Being extremely pruritic lesions, microscopic features are notable for excoriations with small, crusted, red papules scattered around the region. While finding the mite can be satisfying, multiple levels may be needed to identify the organism. Presence of the faeces, along with other histological features, generally suffices for the diagnosis.

Skin scrapings from lesions can be used to examine for mites, ova and/or faeces under light microscopy. KOH preparations can be used to examine for 8-legged creatures that are about 0.3 mm.