Scabies vaccines: where we stand and challenges ahead

Scabies is an itchy skin disease caused by the burrowing mite, Sarcoptes scabiei. During their lifespan, female mites invade the stratum corneum and create tunnels in which they reside, move, feed, deposit fecal pellets, and lay eggs. Globally, more than 200 million people are estimated to be affected by scabies annually. Currently, using scabicidal agents is the only approved method for treating scabies. However, resistance to commonly used agents such as permethrin and ivermectin has been observed in scabies mites. Therefore, the development of vaccines for scabies, either as a preventative measure or for treatment, is crucial to control such neglected diseases. Since the host could evolve a protective immune response that could prevent re-infestation by scabies mites, vaccine development is theoretically possible. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the ongoing challenges regarding the currently available control measures for scabies. It also explores the promising path of scabies vaccine development, highlighting the current state of research and challenges that need to be addressed to develop new and innovative measures for both treating and preventing scabies infections.