The Burrow Ink Test and the scabies mite

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The Burrow Ink Test (BIT) has been routinely used to diagnose scabies at Hôpital Saint-Louis, one of the world's oldest and largest dermatology centers. The diagnostic validity of the test was studied by performing a superficial shave biopsy on 25 BIT-positive and 30 BIT-negative scabietic papules from seventeen scabies patients and examining the tissue with a light microscope. Microscopic evidence for scabies was found in 100% of BIT-positive lesions and in 36.6% of BIT-negative lesions. The BIT appears to be a valid diagnostic tool.

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From the Université de Paris, INSERM-Fondation A. de Rothschild, and the Unité de Dermatologic Pédiatrique et Dermatologic Expérimentale, U.E.R., Necker-Enfants-Malades, Paris, France. Dr. Woodley was a Dermatology Foundation Fellow.

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