Crusted scabies-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome

Crusted scabies is a severe infestation by Sarcoptes scabiei. This debilitating form of the disease has been observed mainly in immunosuppressed individuals, while healthy individuals usually present the classic form of scabies [1]. In HIV-infected patients, a wide range of clinical presentations has been described [2], and progression to crusted scabies has been related to CD4 T-cell counts below 150 cells/μL [3].

The positive effects of successful antiretroviral therapy (ART) for the treatment of HIV involve the decrease in HIV-RNA levels and the consequent elevation of CD4 T cell counts. However, as a result of ART-induced immune reconstitution, the proportion of patients who course with inflammatory response and apparent clinical deterioration has been estimated from less than 10% to more than 50% [4], a phenomenon described as Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (IRIS) [5, 6]. Even though the association between crusted scabies and HIV has long been reported before the use of ART [7], crusted scabies has not been included among the infections that may be exacerbated by ART-induced immune reconstitution, and thus, it has not been explained as an event of IRIS. Here, we describe an HIV-infected patient initiating ART in whom asymptomatic scabies progressed to crusted scabies in a total period of one week, suggesting a process of crusted scabies-associated IRIS.

A 28-year-old man confined in a crowded prison presented to our institution due to respiratory symptoms. During hospitalization he was subjected to a standardized diagnostic approach including physical examination and a detailed clinical history. Routine laboratory tests, CD4 T cell count and HIV viral load were performed. Diagnosis of late HIV infection (CD4 T-cell count of 164 cells/μL and HIV-RNA of 1 030 082 copies/ml; 6.01 log), disseminated tuberculosis involving lymph node and central nervous system, and cytomegalovirus retinitis were established. Appropriate treatment for these conditions was administrated, and after 13 days in hospital he initiated ART with tenofovir, emtricitabine and efavirenz. His clinical condition improved and 5 days later he was discharged. No skin lesions were visible when he attended a routine visit after 13 days on ART. Interestingly, he presented with disseminated itchy dermatosis characterized by hyperkeratotic, hyperpigmented crusted plaques with hemorrhagic fissures after 20 days on ART (Figure 1A). Microscopic examination of the scale and skin biopsy enabled identification of scabies mites and eggs (Figure 1B). The temporal relation with ART initiation and the rapid progression of infection by Sarcoptes scabiei, in presence of an exaggerated inflammatory reaction and atypical inflammatory response in the affected tissues, supported the diagnosis of IRIS [5]. Complete resolution of dermatosis was observed with administration of 3 doses of 12 mg ivermectin given at 1-week intervals, as well as 5-day topical ointment containing balsam of Peru, precipitate sulfur and benzoate butter (Figure 1C). The confinement center received notification of this case, and was also provided with recommendations for the prevention and control of scabies. Days later the patient was discharged home, where he transmitted Sarcoptes scabiei to his mother, father and pregnant sister. They all received appropriate treatment leading to remission of the lesions. After three months on ART the patient had a CD4 T-cell count of 281 cells/μl and a viral load of 86 HIV RNA copies/ml (1.93 log). At this point, the diagnosis of IRIS was confirmed by the ART-induced decrease of more than 4 log in the viral load.

HIV represents a prevalent health problem and scabies is a common parasitic infection of global proportion. Here we present a patient with both infections that coursed with inflammatory response and apparent clinical deterioration soon after antiretroviral therapy initiation, a condition that was interpreted for the first time as crusted scabies-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. The atypical presentation of infection by Sarcoptes scabiei in a patient responding to ART, preceded by no apparent skin lesions at initiation of ART, suggest that it was an event of “unmasking crusted scabies-associated IRIS”. This condition occurs as a result of unmasking of clinically silent infection, and is characterized by atypical exuberant inflammation and/or an accelerated clinical presentation, indicating a restoration of antigen-specific immunity [8].

Most cases of IRIS related to the use of ART have been associated with bacteria, viruses and fungi. However, the range of infections associated with IRIS is increasing, including now parasitic infections such as leishmaniasis [9], strongyloidiasis [10], schistosomiasis [11] and toxoplasmosis [12]. Here we present evidence that when crusted scabies is observed in the context of immune reconstitution, it might as well be considered among the parasitic infections contributing to episodes of IRIS.

Patients in resource limited settings usually present for HIV clinical care with symptomatic HIV-disease and low CD4 T cell counts. This becomes particularly relevant if we consider that the prevalence of chronic parasitic infections is high in these populations. Scabies is frequent in confinement centers and in hospitals, where outbreaks resulting from exposure to undiagnosed crusted scabies cases have been described [7]. Therefore, consideration of the whole scenario is important for ART initiation in these populations. In addition, an adequate interpretation of conditions exacerbated by ART-induced immune reconstitution is crucial for optimal clinical management of patients.

Despite we are living in the era of ART, we would like to stress that residents of confinement centers and mental hospitals where unhealthy and overcrowded conditions prevail, still do not have access to health care systems. Absence of diagnosis of HIV-infection while our patient was in prison illustrates this notion.

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this Case report and any accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Series Editor of this journal.