A single-dose topical therapy cures scabies in a human-relevant porcine model.

Authors

Deepani Darshika Fernando, Sara Taylor, Gangi Rameshika Samarawickrama, Nirupama Abeysekara Nammunige, Gunter Hartel, Vern Bowles, Katja Fischer

Published in

Science translational medicine. Volume 18. Issue 869. Pages eaeg5917. Sep 30, 2026. Epub Sep 30, 2026.

Abstract

Scabies affects ∼400 million people annually, yet current therapies lack ovicidal activity, require repeat dosing, and are increasingly compromised by treatment failure and resistance. The absence of a single-application therapy capable of eliminating both motile mites and eggs represents one important limitation to effective disease control. We developed a mechanism-informed topical therapy combining abametapir, a metalloprotease inhibitor with ovicidal activity, and flavesone, a β-triketone with rapid miticidal effects, designed to target multiple parasite life stages through distinct, non-neurotoxic mechanisms. Using a porcine model that closely recapitulates human scabies, we assessed efficacy, pruritus reduction, and pharmacologic exposure after topical administration. In severe scabies, a single 4-hour treatment eradicated all live mites and eggs and reduced pruritus, outperforming a standard two-dose oral ivermectin regimen. Skin pharmacokinetics demonstrated rapid attainment of concentrations with exposure profiles, supporting single-dose efficacy despite shorter systemic half-lives than ivermectin. Together, this promising therapeutic combination may offer a simplified and potentially resistance-resilient approach to scabies management.

PMID:
42814804
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 01 Oct 2026.

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