Children's scabies survey indicates high prevalence and misdiagnosis in Auckland educational institutions.

Autor: Thornley S; Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand., Sundborn G; Section of Pacific Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand., Engelman D; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia., Roskvist R; Department of Primary Care, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand., Pasay C; QIMR Berghoffer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia., Marshall R; Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand., Long W; Auckland Family Medical Centre, Auckland, New Zealand., Dugu N; Conifer Gardens Medical Centre, Auckland, New Zealand., Hopoi N; The Fono - West, Auckland, New Zealand., Moritsuka S; Section of Pacific Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand., McCarthy J; Doherty Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia., Morris AJ; LabPLUS, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Journal of paediatrics and child health [J Paediatr Child Health] 2023 Dec; Vol. 59 (12), pp. 1296-1303. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Nov 02.
DOI: 10.1111/jpc.16512
Abstrakt: Aim: Here, we present results of a survey of scabies prevalence in childcare centres and primary schools in Auckland.
Methods: Children whose parents agreed to take part in participating centres in the Auckland region were examined for scabies by general practitioners and given questionnaires of relevant symptoms. Diagnoses of clinical or suspected scabies were made according to the International Alliance for the Control of Scabies (IACS) criteria. The survey was a stratified random sample of schools and early childcare centres. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was also used to complement the IACS criteria.
Results: A total of 181 children were examined, with 145 children with history information, 16 of whom (11.0%) met the criteria for 'clinical' or 'suspected' scabies. Weighted analysis, accounting for the survey design, indicated that the prevalence of scabies in early childcare centres was 13.2% (95% CI: 4.3 to 22.1), with no school-aged children fulfilling these criteria. A higher proportion had clinical signs of scabies with 23 (12.7%) having typical scabies lesions and a further 43 (23.8%) had atypical lesions. A total of 64 PCR tests were taken and 15 (23%) were positive. None of these cases were receiving treatment for scabies. Five were undergoing topical skin treatment: three with topical steroid and two with calamine lotion.
Conclusions: The prevalence of children with scabies is high in early childcare centres in Auckland. Misdiagnosis is suggested by several PCR positive cases being treated by topical agents used to treat other skin conditions.
(© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Paediatrics and Child Health Division (The Royal Australasian College of Physicians).)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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