MCQ MAHE 2000 Dermatology Answer 3

The Correct Answer is A

Norwegian scabies

This condition is clinically totally different from classic scabies. A clinical description was first given in 1848 by Danielssen and Boeck in Norwegian leprosy patients. The condition occurs more frequently in immunosuppression e.g. AIDS and in infection with HTLV-1 than in the general population.

Drug-induced immunosuppression, long-term topical steroid use and to a lesser extent a mental handicap such as Down’s syndrome increase the risk. In Norwegian scabies there are very numerous mites present in desquamating hyperkeratotic skin crusts. The latter can also occur on the face.

The disorder is highly infectious. Sometimes tinea pedis (a fungal infection), psoriasis, severe dyshidrosis, hyperkeratotic eczema, contact dermatitis or Darier’s disease (keratosis follicularis; autosomal dominant inheritance) resemble it. In case of doubt, it is sufficient to examine some skin scales after treatment with 10% KOH under a low magnification microscope.

Oral ivermectin (Mectizan®) is the first choice in treatment of Norwegian scabies.

Category: MAHE 2000 MCQs