The immunology of scabies

R. Cabrera, A. Agar, M. V. Dahl

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

52 Scopus citations

Abstract

Individuals with scabies react to bites by generating a cell-mediated immune response at the bite site. This elicits a very itchy papule that is often excoriated. Sometimes ulcerated papules, vasculitis, and nodules develop as a result of other immunologic reactions in skin. Immunologic reactions mediated by antibodies of the immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM, and especially, IgE classes may also be involved. None of these reactions have been shown to eliminate all mites from the skin surface, but locally these reactions may prevent the epidemic multiplication of scabies' organisms on the skin surface, as observed in some patients with crusted scabies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)15-21
Number of pages7
JournalSeminars in Dermatology
Volume12
Issue number1
StatePublished - 1993

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The immunology of scabies'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this