Sarcoptes scabiei Infestation Misdiagnosed and Treated as Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis

Abstract

The inflammatory cell infiltrate in Sarcoptes scabiei infestations often includes Langerhans cells. Scabies infestations in children may mimic Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) clinically as well. We report two children with scabies who were misdiagnosed clinically and histologically as LCH and treated with systemic chemotherapy. Scabies must always be ruled out in infants and children with eczematous eruptions and inflammatory infiltrates that include histiocytes on histologic examination.