Abstract

CAZORLA, DALMIRO J; RUIZ, AIXA C  and  ACOSTA, MARÍA E. TOPICAL TREATMENT WITH PRECIPITATED SULPHUR PETROLATUM FOR SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN SCABIES FROM CORO, FALCON STATE, VENEZUELA. Parasitol. latinoam. [online]. 2006, vol.61, n.1-2, pp. 74-81. ISSN 0717-7712.  doi: 10.4067/S0717-77122006000100011.

Between March - June' 2003, a transversal descriptive controlled therapeutical trial was carried out for assessing topically the efficacy, safety and acceptability of an ointment of precipitated sulphur 2,5% petrolatum for the treatment of 71 school aged children (6-12 years) with suggestive signs and symptoms of scabies infestations from Coro, Falcon state, Venezuela. The diagnosis was made by anamnesis, clinical examination and microscope observations (KOH 10%) of scrapings of cutaneous lesions. Children applied ointment 1 daily dose during 8 hours for 2 days, 2 weeks rest, repeated for 2 days, thoroughly washing off with neutral soap and applying lubricant cream. Chemotherapeutical efficacy was evaluated 7-30 days post treatment by clinic observations, quantification and scraping of the scabies lesions and the itch visual analogue scale (VAS). A safety assessment was based on adverse effects reported by patients or observed by the physician. All enrolled children presented scabies and completed follow up, and were clinical and ectoparasitologically cured 7-30 days after cessation of ointment application, with no relapses or relevant adverse effects, producing a highly significant (p < 0,0001) decrease at the end of evaluation period in the median values of number of lesions (t = 12,83; 231,14 vs 0) and the itch VAS (t = 13,58; 39,7 vs 0,20). Acceptability was satisfactory. The ointment 2,5% sulphur in petrolatum is a highly efficient, easily administered and quite safe chemotherapeutic agent, as well as widely availability , cheap and a satisfactory acceptability for the treatment of pediatric scabies in developing countries

Keywords : Scabies; sulphur; petrolatum; topical treatment; schoolchildren; Venezuela.