title: Epidemic Norwegian scabies in a geriatric unit.
abstract: Norwegian scabies is highly contagious and presents with a psoriasiform dermatosis. It afflicts particularly the elderly and patients with immunosuppression. Two weeks after the admission of an index case of Norwegian scabies to a geriatric ward, 13 and 25 patients and 6 of 18 ward nurses developed scabies. Despite comprehensive treatment, the ward epidemic recurred 6 weeks later probably as a result of inadequate treatment of the index case. This diagnosis should be considered when patients from high-risk groups present with an undiagnosed rash.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Medicine, London Hospital.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Hopper
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salisbury
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Jegadeva
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Bennett
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000635:transmission*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006757:Hospital Units; D006801:Humans; D009664:Norway; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000469:parasitology; D012008:Recurrence; D012532:Scabies / Q000635:transmission*