Use of ivermectin for the management of scabies in a nursing home

Ivermectin was used for the treatment of a scabies outbreak in a nursing ho me, Among the 128 residents,42 presented pruritus or cutaneous lesions and scabies was parasitologically demonstrated in seven patients. All residents were treated with two 12 mg doses of ivermectin given two weeks apart. Ive rmectin treatment associated with procedures for environmental disinfection led to the control of the outbreak. In only one case, was there a failure of the treatment. It is concluded that oral ivermectin is an effective and practical therapy for scabies in nursing homes.