Abstract

Scabies is a significant health problem in remote Aboriginal communities in northern and central Australia. Previous work undertaken at the Menzies School of Health Research has reported evidence of increasing resistance of scabies mites to topical 5% permethrin and documented both in vitro and clinical evidence of resistance to oral ivermectin. The objectives of this project are to identify the molecular basis for emerging ivermectin resistance and to use this knowledge to design a diagnostic test. This will enable the assessment of drug treatment failures and may assist in the development of more sensitive methods for monitoring resistance in the community, including the potential for reversing it.