The child from last week's quiz now complains of itching between the fingers and around the scrotum. His parents report that his sleep patterns are now disturbed, as the itching from his head and body keep him awake at night. Examination of the afflicted areas reveal painful inflammation and possible secondary bacterial infection. The family doctor takes a skin scraping and sends it to your laboratory where you discover the specimen on the slide provided.


1) Identify the parasite indicated (genus and species)

Sarcoptes scabei

2) What sort of organism is it ?

Mite

3) Do his family run the risk of infection by the same parasite? Why ?

Yes. The infection is highly contagious with close contact