Fig. 1

Diagrams of the immunopathological cascades arising from Sarcoptes scabiei infection depending on host hypersensitivity response (Type I or IV). Diagram A represents the immunopathological processes as currently proposed in narrative literature reviews of S. scabiei, and diagram B represents the Immunopathological relationships supported by the meta-analysis undertaken in this study. Solid arrow ( →) indicates a stimulation or influence from one parameter to the other, whereas a dashed arrow (– →) indicates a hypothesised link; small up or down triangle next to parameter indicates an increase or decrease; red text indicates missing immunological links considered likely to connect parameters; Parameters in non-bold indicates secreted cytokines or immunoglobulins; *in panel B IV indicates no direct measure of macrophages instead measured by MCP-1; **in panel A IV indicates epidermal cells to include keratinocytes, Langerhans cells and fibroblasts; *** in panel B indicates no direct measure of T cells or B cells however could be included in the measurement of lymphocytes. IL interleukin; IFN-γ Interferon gamma; TNF-α tumour necrosis factor alpha; TGF-ß transforming growth factor beta; CD4+= T helper cells; CD8+ cytotoxic T cells; Ig immunoglobulin; C3 complement 3; MCV mean corpuscular volume; TEC total erythrocyte concentration; PCV packed cell volume; AGP Acid(1)-alpha glycoprotein; SAA serum amyloid A; A:G ratio albumin:globulin ratio; ALT alanine aminotransferase; BUN blood urea nitrogen; MCHC mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration; MCH mean corpuscular haemoglobin; LPO lipid peroxidation; CAT catalase; GSH:GSSH free glutathione:oxidized glutathione ratio; GGT Gamma-glutamyl transferase. Created in Inkscape