Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 29, 2026
10:39
Multimodal Optical Microscopy Methods Reveal Polyp Tissue Morphology and Structure in Caribbean Reef Building Corals
Published on: September 5, 2014
Epidemic scabies in four Caribbean islands, 1981-1988
Summary
Scabies outbreaks surged across the Caribbean, particularly in Trinidad and Tobago, with a notable increase in secondary infections like streptococcal skin infections and post-streptococcal acute glomerulonephritis. This highlights a concerning public health trend requiring further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Scabies infestations have been reported across multiple Caribbean nations, including Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Dominica, Turks and Caicos Islands, and St. Lucia.
- Epidemic levels of scabies were observed in the Turks and Caicos Islands starting in 1981.
- Trinidad and Tobago initially reported low scabies incidence, with a significant rise observed from 1986 to 1988.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the epidemiological trends of scabies infestation in the Caribbean.
- To investigate the association between scabies outbreaks and secondary infections in Trinidad and Tobago.
Main Methods:
- Data collection on scabies incidence rates from the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (PAHO/WHO CAREC).
- Monitoring of scabies prevalence and trends in various Caribbean territories.
- Tracking of secondary infections, specifically streptococcal skin infections and post-streptococcal acute glomerulonephritis (PSAGN) in Trinidad and Tobago.
Main Results:
- Scabies incidence varied significantly across the Caribbean, with epidemic phases noted in Grenada and explosive growth in Tobago.
- Trinidad and Tobago experienced a dramatic increase in scabies infestation from 1986 to 1988, reaching epidemic proportions.
- Trinidad and Tobago reported a rise in streptococcal skin infections and epidemic post-streptococcal acute glomerulonephritis (PSAGN) coinciding with scabies outbreaks.
Conclusions:
- A concerning trend of increasing scabies infestation, streptococcal skin infections, and PSAGN was observed in Trinidad and Tobago.
- The co-occurrence of these conditions suggests a potential link requiring further epidemiological study.
- Public health surveillance in the Caribbean should monitor scabies and associated secondary infections.
Related Concept Videos
02:33Retroviruses
Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...
01:28Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence
Infectious diseases appear in populations through various transmission patterns, influenced by pathogen characteristics, population immunity, environmental conditions, and social behavior. Understanding these patterns is essential for effective public health surveillance and intervention. These categories—sporadic, outbreak, epidemic, pandemic, and endemic—help frame the nature and scope of disease events.Sporadic diseases occur irregularly and infrequently, without a predictable temporal or...
01:26Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.
01:24Smallpox
Smallpox is a severe contagious disease caused by the Variola major virus, a double-stranded DNA member of the Poxviridae family.Variola major transmission occurs primarily via inhalation of virus-laden droplets or direct contact with infectious scabs. The incubation period averages approximately seven days, although it may range from 7 to 17 days depending on the inoculum and host factors.Clinically, the prodromal phase is marked by an abrupt onset of high fever, malaise, headache, and myalgia.
01:22American Trypanosomiasis
Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is a vector-borne parasitic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a flagellated protozoan (kinetoplastid) of the family Trypanosomatidae. The disease is endemic in Latin America, although cases are increasingly reported worldwide due to human migration. Transmission most commonly occurs when feces of infected triatomine bugs contaminate bite wounds or mucosal surfaces; additional routes include congenital, transfusional, transplant-related, and oral...
01:12Giardiasis
Giardiasis is a globally prevalent intestinal infection caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis (also known as G. lamblia or G. intestinalis). This flagellated protozoan is the most frequently identified intestinal parasite in the United States and worldwide. Transmission primarily occurs via the fecal-oral route, with infection arising from ingestion of water or food contaminated with cysts. Individuals in low-resource settings, international travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, daycare...