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A Method to Test the Efficacy of Handwashing for the Removal of Emerging Infectious Pathogens
Published on: June 7, 2017
Inefficacy of alcohol-based hand rub on mites in a patient with hyperkeratotic scabies
E Cinotti1, J L Perrot, B Labeille
1Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France.
Background:
The World Health Organization is strongly promoting alcohol-based hand rubs to interrupt transmission of pathogens within the healthcare environment, and in some hospitals they are being recommended in cases of scabies. However, there are no studies that demonstrate the efficacy of such hand rubs against scabies.
Aim:
To evaluate the viability of Sarcoptes scabiei after the application of various topical antiseptics used for hand hygiene, and the effect of hand washing on the number of parasites present on the skin surface of a patient with scabies.
Methods:
We applied three different topical antiseptics (two alcohol-based and one povidone-iodine-based) to the skin of one hand that was affected by scabies, and took a skin scraping of each area to evaluate the viability of the mites over time. A skin scraping of a control area without antiseptic application was also taken. We also tested the antiseptics directly on the mites. Statistical comparison between the percentages of vital mites in the different samples was assessed using the χ(2) test. We also captured a dermoscopic image of the other hand before and after hand washing to count the number of parasites on the skin surface.
Results:
Topical antiseptics did not reduce the number of living mites compared with control skin, and hand washing did not reduce the number of parasites on the skin surface.
Conclusions:
Application of topical antiseptics does not reduce the viability of S. scabiei, and is therefore unable to prevent the transmission of scabies. The usefulness of hand washing in preventing transmission of scabies to new subjects remains to be investigated.
Insights
Alcohol-based hand rubs and antiseptics do not kill scabies mites on the skin. Hand washing also failed to reduce the number of scabies parasites, indicating current methods may not prevent scabies transmission.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Dermatology
- Parasitology
Background:
- Alcohol-based hand rubs are promoted by the WHO for pathogen transmission interruption.
- Their efficacy against scabies, a parasitic skin infestation, is not well-studied.
- Current recommendations include hand rubs for scabies, but evidence is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the viability of Sarcoptes scabiei mites after topical antiseptic application.
- To determine the effect of hand washing on surface mite counts in scabies patients.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of hand hygiene products against scabies.
Main Methods:
- Applied alcohol-based and povidone-iodine antiseptics to scabies-affected skin.
- Collected skin scrapings to assess mite viability post-antiseptic exposure.
- Tested antiseptics directly on mites and compared with a control.
- Quantified surface parasites before and after hand washing using dermoscopy.
Main Results:
- Topical antiseptics did not decrease the viability of Sarcoptes scabiei mites.
- Hand washing did not significantly reduce the number of parasites on the skin surface.
- Antiseptic application did not show a statistically significant difference in mite viability compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Topical antiseptics are ineffective in reducing Sarcoptes scabiei viability.
- Current hand hygiene practices, including antiseptics, may not prevent scabies transmission.
- Further investigation is needed to determine the role of hand washing in preventing scabies spread.
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