The Medical Journal of Basrah University

Abstract

Objective: 1- Isolation and diagnosis of mites species in sheep. 2-To study the pathological changes in the skin. 3-To know the epidemiological distribution of Scabies in human.
Materials and Methods: Scrabing was collected from infected area of skin of sheep and human. These specimens were treated with 10% KOH to remove scales and hairs, and then fixed on slides for diagnosis. Biopsies were taken from infected skin for pathological study.
Results: Three species of mites were diagnosed on sheep, Sarcoptes scabiei, Psoroptes ovis and Chorioptes sarcoptes, with percents of infection 34.95%, 58.27%, 4.71% respectively. Gross pathological changes observed were, toughness, dryness, fissuring of the skin with white scales, while microscopical pathological changes revealed, hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, infiltration of chronic inflammatory cells (eosinophils, macrophages and lymphocytes) and oedema in the dermis. Age group of 11-30 years of age were highly affected (28.2%). Housewives were the highest percent among other occupation (29.1%).
Conclusions: Scabies is a big public health problem and should be looked after among sheep as well as human beings.