Findings of Sarcoptes scabiei (linnaeus, 1758) in the beds of patients with scabies (sarcoptiformes: sarcoptidae)

Abstract

Dust samples were collected from 58 beds occupied by patients with Sarcoptes scabiei infection. In these samples we found a total of 1322 Arachnida making an average of 23 specimens in 1 g of dust. Among these we recovered 4 nymphs and one male of Sarcoptes scabiei, from 6.9% of the beds examined. We have discussed the possibility of transmission of scabies with the bedclothes, and the role played in this transmission by the individual developmental stages of the mite.