The Diagnostic Workup, Screening, and Treatment Approaches for Patients with Delusional Infestation

Coetzee, Skyler; Mahajan, Chandrally; França, Katlein

doi:10.1007/s13555-023-01053-4

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 63 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Also, serology for borrelia, treponema, hepatitis, and HIV infection, vasculitis screening, skin allergy tests, vitamin B12 levels, and folate levels must be considered [29,45,58]. Table 1 presents the main laboratory tests utilized for screening underlying organic conditions in patients diagnosed with DP [59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66]. Furthermore, if a patient presents with various lesions of the skin, a skin biopsy may be performed, with the patient choosing the collection site.…”

Section: Paraclinical Diagnosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Insights into the Medical Evaluation of Ekbom Syndrome: An Overview

Mindru,

Radu,

Bumbu

et al. 2024

IJMS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Ekbom syndrome, also known as delusional parasitosis (DP) or delusional infestation, is an uncommon psychiatric disorder distinguished by an enduring conviction of parasitic infestation, persisting notwithstanding the presence of medical evidence to the contrary. Primarily affecting middle-aged women, DP can manifest either as isolated psychological distress or as a component within a more intricate psychiatric framework, substantially influencing the quality of life for affected individuals. Its pathophysiological mechanism involves uncertain dopaminergic imbalances and dysfunction in the dopamine transporter system. Dermatologists often play a pivotal role in diagnosis, as patients first seek dermatological assessments of their signs and symptoms. However, DP frequently originates from underlying psychiatric disorders or medical variables, manifesting with neurological and infectious causative factors. The diagnostic complexity is attributed to patients’ resolute convictions, leading to delayed psychiatric intervention. First-line DP treatment involves antipsychotics, with newer agents demonstrating promising prospects, but the lack of standardized protocols poses a significant therapeutic challenge. In this narrative review, both a comprehensive approach to this uncommon pathology and an update on the state of knowledge in this medical subfield focused on optimizing the management of DP are provided. The complexity of DP underlying its uncommon nature and the incomplete understanding of its pathophysiology highlight the need for further research through multicenter studies and multidisciplinary teams to enhance therapeutic efficacy and safety.

show abstract

Section: Paraclinical Diagnosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Insights into the Medical Evaluation of Ekbom Syndrome: An Overview

Mindru,

Radu,

Bumbu

et al. 2024

IJMS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

State-of-the-Art Review: Evaluation and Management of Delusional Infestation

Mendelsohn,

Sato,

Subedi

et al. 2024

Clinical Infectious Diseases

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Delusional infestation is a condition encountered frequently by healthcare professionals across a variety of specialties in which patients have a fixed, false belief that they are infested with living creatures, such as bugs, parasites, worms, or mites, or nonliving objects, such as fibers. Delusional infestation can be debilitating for patients, who not only present with intense psychological distress and physical discomfort but are also at risk of developing numerous dermatological and psychiatric complications. This condition poses unique diagnostic challenges, as these symptoms can occur secondary to many metabolic or infectious causes, as well as unique treatment challenges, with patients frequently refusing psychiatric care and consequently seeking evaluation by other healthcare professionals. In this review, we aim to use existing literature to provide clinicians in infectious diseases or other specialties with sufficient clinical context and treatment guidance for the appropriate management of delusional infestation.

show abstract

The Diagnostic Workup, Screening, and Treatment Approaches for Patients with Delusional Infestation

Cited by 2 publications

References 63 publications

Insights into the Medical Evaluation of Ekbom Syndrome: An Overview

Insights into the Medical Evaluation of Ekbom Syndrome: An Overview

State-of-the-Art Review: Evaluation and Management of Delusional Infestation

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About