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Table 1 Immune response in scabies

From: Host immune responses to the itch mite, Sarcoptes scabiei, in humans

 

Ordinary scabies (OS)

Crusted scabies (CS)

Skin cellular responses

Mostly CD4+ T cells, eosinophils and macrophages [24]

Mostly CD8+ T cells, increased γδ+ T cells, eosinophils and few macrophages [14, 24, 35, 88]

Blood cell responses

T and B cells and T-cell subsets within normal ranges

T and B cells and T-cell subsets within normal ranges. Increased γδ+ T cells, eosinophilia [24, 88]

Th1/Th2 responses

Th1 mediated with increased production of Th1 cytokines IFN-γ, IL-2 and TNF-α [35, 46, 51]. Increased production of IL-10 [51]

Th2 mediated with increased production of Th2 cytokines IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 [14, 35, 46].

Increased production of Th17 cytokines IL-17, IL −23 [46, 88].

Decreased production of IL-10 [24, 35]

Systemic Ig responses

Variable reports of elevated levels of total IgG, IgE, IgA and IgM. Increased levels of scabies-specific IgE, IgG and IgA [24, 35]

Increased levels of total IgG, IgG1, IgG3, IgG4, IgE and IgA. Elevated levels of scabies specific IgG4, IgE and IgA [24, 35]