Scabies Norvegica.

Abstract

The occurrence of nine cases of Norwegian Scabies in mongols is reported. The effective treatment of this condition with systemic methotrexate is described in eight cases.

Norwegian Scabies, a Christchurch Epidemic

“…Later the crtistiug becomes generalized, with lymphadenopathy and blood eosinophilia. Treatment is often unsatisfactory and Ward (1971) gave systemic melhotrexate to eight cases with success. Freqneutly the diagnosis is greatly delayed and epidemics niiiy follow hospitalization of Ihe iiatient (ITaydon and Cajilan, 1971).…”

“…Even fleeting contact: with the i)a1ient ma.v sjjread the disease and TTaydon and Caplan (1971) described a. hos])i<a] laundry worker who ac(iuired scabies from handling infected linen. Ward (1971) has specnlated that the iiolenfial ])soriatic patient may acquire Norwegian scabies. Tngram (1951) suggests that the widespread scattering of scales containing live mites is resixnisible for the extreme infectivity of the condition.…”

Allergic Responses to Infectious Agents

“…The most active antigen is the polysaccharide antigen of thc capsule, which is built up of glucose, xylose, mannose, galactose and acid. Evans [49] has differentiated three Serotypes of the C. neofarmans capsule, viz., types A, B and C. Wilson et al [341] have described a fourth serotype termed type D. Serotype A occurs most frequently (95 per cent) [197d]. The specificity of the capsule antigens is limited; apathogenic Cryptococcus strains may also contain them [197b ].…”