Importance of Follow-Up Microscopic Examination in Hospitalized Patients with Confirmed Scabies

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Dermatology
• Hospital Epidemiology

Background:

• Scabies is a contagious skin infestation requiring prompt diagnosis and management.
• Nosocomial scabies outbreaks pose significant challenges in acute care settings, increasing patient morbidity and healthcare costs.
• Effective isolation protocols and cure confirmation are essential to control transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the duration of positive microscopic examination in hospitalized patients with confirmed scabies.
• To evaluate the time required for microscopic confirmation of scabies eradication in an acute care hospital.
• To inform infection control practices regarding patient isolation and discharge criteria for scabies.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of hospitalized patients diagnosed with scabies between January 2015 and June 2019.
• Inclusion criteria: confirmed scabies diagnosis via microscopic examination.
• Data collected: duration from diagnosis to negative microscopic test result.

Main Results:

• A total of 31 hospitalized patients with confirmed scabies were identified.
• Six patients were discharged or transferred prior to achieving a negative microscopic test result.
• For the 25 patients with negative results, the median duration from diagnosis to negative microscopy was 14 days (IQR: 9-17 days).

Conclusions:

• Hospitalized patients with scabies require a median of 14 days to achieve negative microscopic examination results.
• Inadequate follow-up and premature discharge can hinder cure confirmation and potentially contribute to transmission.
• Implementing robust treatment protocols, follow-up examinations, and confirmed cure are vital before discontinuing contact isolation to prevent hospital-acquired scabies.