[Profuse scabies: kinetic curves of parasitologic cure with an association of benzyl benzoate and sulfiram].
BACKGROUND
In vitro exposure to benzyl benzoate (25 p. 100) kills Sarcoptes scabiei within three hours. The aim of our study was to determine in vivo elimination of Sarcopte scabiei with a benzyl benzoate-sulfiram association.


METHODS
Medical charts of patients hospitalized for disseminated scabies from 1993 to 1999 were reviewed retrospectively. The diagnosis of scabies was confirmed by microscopic determination. Parasitological examinations were conducted every day or every two days until negative results. Patients were treated by successive applications of benzyl benzoate until parasitological cure.


RESULTS
Twenty patients were included in the study. The median delay of parasitological cure was seven days. After 15 days, 95 p. 100 of patients were cured. Two cutaneous side-effects were reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite immediate in vitro efficacy, benzyl benzoate action is delayed in vivo. The time of parasitological negativation after one application of benzyl benzoate is unknown. Therefore, it is not currently possible to determine whether our therapeutic regimen was excessive or not.
Pitche
P
P
Services de Dermatologie, Hôpital Henri-Mondor, 94010 Créteil Cedex.
Wolkenstein
P
P
Cremer
G
G
Foulet
F
F
Lascaux
A S
AS
Revuz
J
J
D000368:Aged; D001565:Benzoates / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004221:Disulfiram / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D012532:Scabies / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D001565:Benzoates; D007306:Insecticides; C009822:monosulfiram; C006723:benzyl benzoate; D004221:Disulfiram