The Big SHIFT study finds ivermectin reduces the incidence of bacterial complications of scabies

Published

Monday, June 20, 2022 - 12:00 PM

A recent study, known as The Big Skin Health Intervention Fiji Trial (Big SHIFT) found that ivermectin-based mass drug administration can not only reduce scabies and impetigo but also reduce serious bacterial complications. The study was a before-after intervention trial of ivermectin-based mass drug administration delivered to the whole population of the Northern Division of Fiji. The research found the incidence of hospitalisations with skin and soft tissue infections was 17% lower after the intervention compared to baseline. The researchers stated the findings represent a big step forward in scabies control and would help inform international policymakers on their scabies control strategy.

The study was recently published in The Lancet Regional Health Western Pacific. It is open access and can be found here:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanwpc.2022.100433