Detection of Scabies: A Systematic Review of Diagnostic Methods

This study systematically reviewed the accuracy and precision of history, physical examination and tests for diagnosing scabies. Using a structured search strategy, Medline and Embase databases were searched for English and French language articles that included a diagnosis of scabies. Studies compa...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Victor Leung, Mark Miller
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2011-01-01
Series:Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/698494
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850177876672905216
author Victor Leung
Mark Miller
author_facet Victor Leung
Mark Miller
author_sort Victor Leung
collection DOAJ
description This study systematically reviewed the accuracy and precision of history, physical examination and tests for diagnosing scabies. Using a structured search strategy, Medline and Embase databases were searched for English and French language articles that included a diagnosis of scabies. Studies comparing history, physical examination and/or any diagnostic tests with the reference standard of microscopic visualization of mites, eggs or fecal elements obtained from skin scrapings or biopsies were included for analysis. History and examination of pruritic dermatoses failed to accurately diagnose scabies infection. The accuracy of dermatoscopy, performed by a trained practitioner, was determined; however, the accuracy of other diagnostic tests could not be calculated from the data in the literature. In the face of such diagnostic inaccuracy, research to identify or develop accurate diagnostic tests for scabies infection is needed and justifiable.
format Article
id doaj-art-c33fc778e7e14c5d9951a9f47cc95308
institution OA Journals
issn 1712-9532
language English
publishDate 2011-01-01
publisher Wiley
record_format Article
series Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology
spelling doaj-art-c33fc778e7e14c5d9951a9f47cc953082025-08-20T02:18:54ZengWileyCanadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology1712-95322011-01-0122414314610.1155/2011/698494Detection of Scabies: A Systematic Review of Diagnostic MethodsVictor Leung0Mark Miller1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, McGill University, CanadaDivision of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, CanadaThis study systematically reviewed the accuracy and precision of history, physical examination and tests for diagnosing scabies. Using a structured search strategy, Medline and Embase databases were searched for English and French language articles that included a diagnosis of scabies. Studies comparing history, physical examination and/or any diagnostic tests with the reference standard of microscopic visualization of mites, eggs or fecal elements obtained from skin scrapings or biopsies were included for analysis. History and examination of pruritic dermatoses failed to accurately diagnose scabies infection. The accuracy of dermatoscopy, performed by a trained practitioner, was determined; however, the accuracy of other diagnostic tests could not be calculated from the data in the literature. In the face of such diagnostic inaccuracy, research to identify or develop accurate diagnostic tests for scabies infection is needed and justifiable.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/698494
spellingShingle Victor Leung
Mark Miller
Detection of Scabies: A Systematic Review of Diagnostic Methods
Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology
title Detection of Scabies: A Systematic Review of Diagnostic Methods
title_full Detection of Scabies: A Systematic Review of Diagnostic Methods
title_fullStr Detection of Scabies: A Systematic Review of Diagnostic Methods
title_full_unstemmed Detection of Scabies: A Systematic Review of Diagnostic Methods
title_short Detection of Scabies: A Systematic Review of Diagnostic Methods
title_sort detection of scabies a systematic review of diagnostic methods
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/698494
work_keys_str_mv AT victorleung detectionofscabiesasystematicreviewofdiagnosticmethods
AT markmiller detectionofscabiesasystematicreviewofdiagnosticmethods