Ten-Year Trends and Clinical Implications of Scabies Infection: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis in Zhanjiang,...

Scabies, a contagious parasitic skin infestation, is a significant global public health concern and a neglected tropical disease (NTD). Understanding its long-term epidemiological trends, diagnostic accuracy, and treatment outcomes is crucial for effective control. This study aimed to analyze a decade of scabies infection data from Zhanjiang, China. We retrospectively collected clinical data from 2,428 outpatients diagnosed with confirmed scabies at the Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University (2014-2024). Diagnostic methods (dermoscopy and microscopy) were compared. Treatment efficacy of 10% sulfur ointment was assessed via 10-day follow-up in 100 positive patients. Males comprised 78% of cases (male:female ratio 3.5:1), with school-age children (≥3 and <18 years) accounting for 51.2%. Among 865 compared patients (2021-2024), the diagnostic sensitivity of dermoscopy was significantly higher than that of microscopy (99.8% versus 46.8%, P <0.001). The 10-day follow-up indicated a low 13% cure rate with sulfur ointment. Scabies epidemiology in Zhanjiang, particularly among school-age children, shows a clear upward trend and significant resurgence, aligning with China's COVID-19 prevention policies. Our findings support dermoscopy's diagnostic superiority in comparison with microscopic examination. Low cure rates with sulfur ointment necessitate reassessment of current treatment approaches and implementation of effective public health interventions, such as mass drug administration (e.g., ivermectin), to control this NTD.