Here is our monthly case by Idzi Potters and the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp. The following were seen in skin scrapings from a young immigrant male. Identification?
Ay, it’s so itchy. Poor patient, not only you itch but the scratches on your hands, interdigital spaces makes you socially awkward. Sometimes we may not see the ectoparasite itself but it does leave a trail of eggs and or its feces. Children do get the itch mite but adults too especially those institutionalized such as in mates or neglected elders in nursing facilities. Sarcoptes scabiei do fluoresce in calcofluor stain preps of Mycology. Florida Fan
There once was a woman from Natchez, Whose clothing was always in patches. When comment arose on the state of her clothes, She replied, "when ah itches, ah scratches" (rim shot)
I agree with the identification of Sarcoptes scabiei.
I would like to mention a closely related sarcoptiform mite that infests cats. These mites have long unjoined sucker tipped leg stalks (empodium), v-shaped scales on the dorsum, and eleagent dark colored apodemes. All characteristics shared with Sarcoptes scabies. Notoedres cati, a cat parasite, which can cause a transient puritic lesion in humans closely resembles Sarcoptes. How do you tell these mite species apart you ask. Simple, Sarcoptes has a terminal anus and Notoedres has a dorsally mounted anus making it appear to be subterminal.
Every week I will post a new Case, along with the answer to the previous case. Please feel free to write in with your answers, comments, and questions. Also check out my image archive website at http://parasitewonders.com. Enjoy!
The Fine Print: Please note that all opinions expressed here are mine and not my employer. Information provided is for educational purposes only. It is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. I do not accept medical consults from patients.
10 comments:
Itch mite = Sarcoptes scabeii
Sarcoptes scabiei or the Scabies mite
Ay, it’s so itchy. Poor patient, not only you itch but the scratches on your hands, interdigital spaces makes you socially awkward. Sometimes we may not see the ectoparasite itself but it does leave a trail of eggs and or its feces. Children do get the itch mite but adults too especially those institutionalized such as in mates or neglected elders in nursing facilities. Sarcoptes scabiei do fluoresce in calcofluor stain preps of Mycology.
Florida Fan
Sarcoptes scabei.
There once was a woman from Natchez,
Whose clothing was always in patches.
When comment arose on the state of her clothes,
She replied,
"when ah itches, ah scratches"
(rim shot)
Only 3 pairs of legs. Must be a larva.
Sarcoptes scabiei.
Larva of Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
Sarcoptes scabei
Sarcoptes scabei young (usually larger when adult)
I agree with the identification of Sarcoptes scabiei.
I would like to mention a closely related sarcoptiform mite that infests cats. These mites have long unjoined sucker tipped leg stalks (empodium), v-shaped scales on the dorsum, and eleagent dark colored apodemes. All characteristics shared with Sarcoptes scabies. Notoedres cati, a cat parasite, which can cause a transient puritic lesion in humans closely resembles Sarcoptes. How do you tell these mite species apart you ask. Simple, Sarcoptes has a terminal anus and Notoedres has a dorsally mounted anus making it appear to be subterminal.
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