Prospective, randomized, and comparative study of efficacy of ivermectin, benzyl benzoate 25%, permethrin 5% and gamma benzene hexachloride 1% in the treatment of uncomplicated scabies

Background: Scabies is an infectious and contagious human skin disease. The aim of the study was to study the efficacy and safety of four different treatment modalities in clinically diagnosed cases of scabies of single dose of oral ivermectin and commonly used topical scabicidal agent’s benzyl benzoate 25% (BB), permethrin 5% and gamma benzene hexachloride 1% (GBHC).Methods: This study was carried out in the Department of Dermatology, Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam. 200 patients diagnosed of scabies were included in the study during the period from August 2013 to July 2014. The percentage of improvement was compared between four groups. Intergroup comparison between two groups was done Chi square test.Results: In the present study a greater number of patients were students (54.5%). Subsidence of lesion and itching with oral ivermectin given as a single dose (200 μg/kg body weight) was 45 (90%) and 44 (88%), with topical permethrin 5% lotion single application 48 (96%), 47 (94%), with topical GBHC 1% lotion 40 (80%) patients, 38 (76%). Topical application of BB lotion 25% was 38 (76%), and 36 (72%) at fourth week.Conclusions: In the present study permethrin 5% cream was found to be more effective among topical agents. Both BB and GBHC 1% lotion are being inexpensive and they can be used as an alternative treatment in developing country like India.

Investigation of the Presence of 22 Organochlorine Pesticide Residues in Ginseng from Jilin Province, China

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of organochlorine pesticide residues in 186 ginseng samples collected in Jilin, People's Republic of China. Based on the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2015 method for detection of organochlorine pesticide residues in ginseng, 22 organochlorine pesticide residues were identified. Chlordane, aldrin, epichlorohydrin, and dieldrin and their isomers were not detected in ginseng from this region. Heptachlor was detected in only one ginseng sample, and the concentration did not exceed the maximum residual limit (MRL) prescribed in the Pharmacopoeia (0.05 mg/kg). Benzene hexachloride was detected in two samples, one of which was above the MRL. Hexachlorobenzene and pentachloronitrobenzene (quintozene) were found in 11.8 and 52.1% of the samples, respectively, and the residues in these samples exceeded the MRL by 4.3 and 8.6%, respectively.

Comparative Trials of 5% Permethrin Lotions Vs 1% Gamma Benzene Hexachloride Lotions in Treatment of Scabies

Background: Scabies is a contagious pruritic skin condition caused by the mite Sarcoptesscabiei var. hominis, and it is one of the major public health problem in developing country like ours. To determine and compare the efficacy of topical permethrin and topical gamma benzene hexachloride in treatment of scabies in population of Nepal. Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, comparative study conducted in 300 diagnosed cases of scabies treated with permethrin and gamma benzene hexachloride. Results: At the end of 2nd week, treatment was effective in 91.2% cases in permethrin (group A) and 64.6% in gamma benzene hexachloride (group B). After switch over of the non-improved patients to the other group drug, 6.7% were treated successfully with gamma benzene hexachloride and 80.9% were treated successfully with permethrin at the end of 4th week. No major side effects were observed in both groups. Gamma benzene hexachloride was found to be cost effective than permethrin. Conclusion: Permethrin was found to be more effective than gamma benzene hexachloride in treatment of scabies.