Sarcoptes scabiei lives in the stratum corneum of its mammalian host. Keratinocytes and fibroblasts are among the first cells to encounter the burrowing mite and its products. The aim of this study was to determine if molecules in an extract of S. scabiei modulate the expression of cytokines by keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Human keratinocytes and fibroblasts were exposed to an extract of S. scabiei var. canis in the absence or presence of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide. Cytokine expression was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Components in the S. scabiei extract induced marked increases in secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and slight increases in production of granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) by keratinocytes. The scabies extract down-regulated keratinocyte secretion of IL-1 receptor antagonist, but did not influence the production of IL-1alpha or IL-1beta. In comparison, components in the scabies extract induced marked increases in the elaboration of IL-6, IL-8, G-CSF, and VEGF by fibroblasts. Neither cell type produced eotaxin, stem cell factor, or tumor necrosis factor-alpha under any of the conditions tested. This study demonstrates that components in an extract of the mite S. scabiei are able to influence cytokine expression by human keratinocytes and fibroblasts.