[Increasing incidence of scabies in France, 1999-2010, and public health implications].
BACKGROUND
Scabies is a contagious parasitic infestation that is benign in most cases; however, delay in diagnosis and treatment can cause numerous problems for patients and people in their vicinity, as well as a risk of secondary spread. Following numerous reports suggesting increased incidence of scabies in France, we analysed various available indicators.


METHODS
We analysed spontaneous and mandatory reports submitted to public health bodies as well as sales figures for scabies treatments in France over the period between 1999 and 2010.


RESULTS
Reports submitted to public health structures suggest an increase in the number of cases of scabies both within the community and in healthcare establishments. An increase was seen in regional and national sales of scabies treatments. At the national level, between 2005 and 2009, sales rose from 283 to 402 bottles per 100,000 persons per year (+10% per year) for benzyl benzoate and from 216 to 495 treatments per 100,000 persons per year (+22%) for ivermectin. Based on these data, the minimum estimated annual incidence of scabies in France is 328 cases per 100,000 persons.


CONCLUSIONS
There is some discussion surrounding the interpretation of these data, particularly the bias associated with reporting practice and with the protocols used to treat affected subjects and those in their vicinity. However, all of the information gathered indicates a real increase in the incidence of scabies in France, as a result of which we recommend increased information for the general public, clinical practitioners and public health partners in order to ensure early diagnosis and treatment.
Département des maladies infectieuses, Institut de veille sanitaire, 12, rue du Val-d'Osne, 94415 Saint-Maurice, France. d.bitar@invs.sante.fr
D
D
Bitar
J-M
JM
Thiolet
S
S
Haeghebaert
C
C
Castor
I
I
Poujol
B
B
Coignard
D
D
Che
D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001565:Benzoates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015982:Bias; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000639:trends; D005544:Forecasting; D005602:France; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007306:Insecticides; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011634:Public Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends*; D012008:Recurrence; D012532:Scabies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D001565:Benzoates; D007306:Insecticides; D007559:Ivermectin; C006723:benzyl benzoate