Comparison of in vitro susceptibility of Sarcoptes scabiei var.hominis to topical 5%permethrin and topical 1% ivermectin

Objective to compare the in vitro susceptibility of sarcoptes scabiei var.hominis to 5% permethrin and 1% ivermectin. methodsa randomized,controlled trial was conducted in opd,dermatology department,military hospital,rawalpindi,pakistan over a period of six months from december 17,2014 to june 16,2015.a total of 80 mites from 80 patients were taken. mites were randomly allocated to two groups: group a (5% permethrin) and group b (1% ivermectin). 5% permethrin and 1% ivermectin were applied in a thin film over a glass slide. live mites were gently transferred to the glass slide. these were inspected microscopically for leg movements at an hourly interval for 6 hours. death was declared once all leg movements had ceased. all mites which died within 6 hours were considered as susceptible to drug,while mites having active leg movements even after 6 hours were considered as non-susceptible. results there were 35 (84.5%) mites which showed invitro susceptibility in the group a (5% permethrin),whereas all the mites from group b (1% ivermectin) were susceptible. conclusionthe in vitro susceptibility was statistically significant (p=0.021) in both the groups. 1% ivermectin was better than 5% permethrin in terms of invitro susceptibility.