The most important skin infections in Aboriginal communities in central and northern Australia are scabies and streptoccocal pyoderma. Scabies is endemic in many remote Aboriginal communities, with prevalences in children up to 50%. The cycles of scabies transmission underlie much of the pyoderma. Up to 70% of children have skin sores, with group A streptoccocus (GAS) the major pathogen. Group A streptoccocus is responsible for the continuing outbreaks of post-streptoccocal glomerulonephritis and acute rheumatic fever (ARF). The cycles of scabies transmission in dogs and humans do not appear to significantly overlap. Guidelines have been developed for community control of scabies and skin sores and successful community initiated coordinated programmes have occurred. The anthropophilic dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum is ubiquitous in many communities, again reflecting living conditions. Other skin infections related to the tropical environment include melioidosis, nocardiosis, Chromobacterium violaceum and chromoblastomycosis. Sustainable and long-term improvements in scabies, skin sores and GAS-related disease and tinea require fundamental changes that address social and economic inequities and, in particular, living conditions and overcrowding.
CITATION STYLE
B.J., C., & J.R., C. (2000). Skin infections and infestations in Aboriginal communities in northern Australia. Australasian Journal of Dermatology. B.J. Currie, Menzies School of Health Research, PO Box 41096, Casuarina, NT 0811, Australia. E-mail: bart@menzies.edu.au: Blackwell Publishing. Retrieved from http://ovidsp.ovid.com/ovidweb.cgi?T=JS&PAGE=reference&D=emed5&NEWS=N&AN=2000295836
Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.