title: Prevalence of Sarcoptes scabiei in the homes and nursing homes of scabietic patients.
abstract: This study determined the prevalence of Sarcoptes scabiei in the home environment of 37 confirmed cases of scabies and in five nursing homes with scabietic patients. Dust samples from 44% of infested patients' homes contained scabies mites. Live mites at the time the dust samples were analyzed were present in 64% of these homes. Live mites were recovered most often from bedroom floors or overstuffed chairs and couches. The density of live and dead mites ranged from 1 to 5 mites/0.1 gm of dust or 1 to 9 mites/m2 of surface area sampled. The presence of mites in fomites coupled with survival and host-seeking behavior indicate that it is possible for a person to become infested by dislodged mites in contaminated home, school, and work environments. By contrast, only a small number of mites were recovered from beds, furniture, and floors of scabies-infested nursing homes. Mite-contaminated fomites may be less important in the transmission of scabies in nursing homes than in private homes.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001512:Bedding and Linens; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D007223:Infant; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D012520:Sarcoptes scabiei / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012532:Scabies / Q000635:transmission*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors