Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis: three-dimensional structure of a female imago and crusted scabies lesions by X-ray micro-CT

Exp Parasitol. 2009 Aug;122(4):268-72. doi: 10.1016/j.exppara.2009.04.015. Epub 2009 May 12.

Abstract

The three-dimensional structure of scabies mites (Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis) and keratin layers affected by crusted scabies lesions were obtained using X-ray computed tomography at sub-micrometer and micrometer resolution, respectively (X-ray micro-CT). Clear three-dimensional images including internal structure of scabies mites were obtained. Utilizing reconstructed micro-CT data, the sections of the capitulum (head part), digestive organs, and legs are shown. The reconstructed capitulum shows a jaw-like structure capable of penetrating the keratin layer of the skin. The tip of the forelegs of female scabies mites has a flat disk structure that may be used to grasp the skin surface. The keratin layer of a crusted scabies lesion spontaneously exfoliated from a patient was also reconstructed by the X-ray micro-CT technique. Extracted sections from CT data revealed a network structure of tunnels made by scabies mites with numerous larvae and eggs inside the tunnels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  • Sarcoptes scabiei / anatomy & histology*
  • Scabies / parasitology
  • Scabies / pathology*
  • Skin / parasitology
  • Skin / pathology*
  • X-Ray Microtomography*