Clinical case of Norwegian scabies in a patient with HIV infection

Abstract

Norwegian scabies is a rare variant of scabies, which has clinical differences from the classical variant, which can cause diagnostic errors. Risk factors for developing the disease are various immunodeficiency states (HIV infection, malignant neoplasms, leprosy). A clinical case of the development of Norwegian scabies in a 22-year-old patient with HIV-infection stage 4B, with a level of CD4-lymphocytes in the blood of 8 cells/µl, is presented. The patient was hospitalized with complaints of weakness, skin rashes, itching and fever up to 40°C. On examination, there was dryness of the skin with erythematous areas on the arms, legs, and torso, as well as massive dirty-gray crusts on the skin of the scalp, torso, palms, elbows, dorsal surface of the feet. Purulent crusts were visualized on the elbows (Ardy’s symptom).

Treatment of scabies was carried out by treating the skin with a solution of benzyl benzoate. Against the background of the therapy, there was a positive trend in the form of the disappearance of skin itching, unpleasant odor, and complete disappearance of crusts on the 7th day of treatment.