Epidermal parasitic skin diseases: a neglected category of poverty-associated plagues
Hermann Feldmeier & Jorg Heukelbach
Volume 87, Number 2, February 2009, 152-159
Table 1. Biological and epidemiological characteristics of the six major EPSD
| Characteristics | Scabies | Pediculosis capitis | Pediculosis corporis | Pediculosis pubis | Tungiasis | HrCLM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biological | ||||||
| Infective agent | Sarcoptes scabiei | Pediculus humanus var. capitis | Pediculus humanus var. corporis | Phthirus pubis | Tunga penetrans | Animal hookworm species such as A. caninum, A. braziliense, Uncinaria stenocephala |
| Taxonomical classification | Acaridae (mite) | Phtiraptera (louse) | Phtiraptera (louse) | Phtiraptera (louse) | Siphonaptera (flea) | Helminths (nematode) |
| Life-cycle | Completely on-host | Completely on-host | Completely on-host | Completely on-host | Partially on-hosta | Partially on-host (biological impasse) |
| Epidemiological | ||||||
| Transmission | ||||||
| Person-to-personb | +++ | +++ | +++ | (+) | ||
| Sexual | + | +++ | ||||
| Fomite | + | + | +++ | + | (+) | (+) |
| Soil-to-skin | +++ | +++ | ||||
| Capacity to transfer pathogenic microorganisms | ||||||
| Actively | Not known | (+) | +++ | + | Not known | |
| Passively | + | ++ | ++ | ++ | +++ | ++ |
| Occurrence | Worldwide | Worldwide | Restricted mainly to cold-climate regions | Worldwide | Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, South America | Predominantly in hot-climate countries |
| Seasonal variation | Peak during cold seasonc | Peak during cold seasonc | Inconsistent data | Peak during cold season | Peak in hot and dry season | Peak in rainy season |
| Animal reservoir | nod | no | no | no | Dogs, cats, pigs, ratse | Dogs, catse |
EPSD, epidermal parasitic skin diseases; HrCLM, hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans.+, rare; ++, frequent; +++, very frequent.
a Female fleas penetrate into the epidermis, develop and produce eggs; Eggs develop into larvae, pupae, adults off-host in soil.
b Other than sexual.
c Only in cold-climate countries.
d Sarcoptic mange may be transmitted to humans from pet dogs but causes self-limiting manifestations.
e Other animals may serve as a reservoir.