The inflammatory and immune responses seen with the worldwide disease scabies, caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei (De Geer) (Acari: Sarcoptidae), are complex. Clinical symptoms are delayed for weeks in patients when they are infested with scabies for the first time. This study was undertaken to elucidate the role of the human dermal microvascular endothelial cell (HMVEC-D) in modulating the inflammatory and immune responses in the skin to S. scabiei. Extracts of S. scabiei were incubated with HMVEC-D and the expression of adhesion molecules and chemokine receptors on the cells and the secretion of selected cytokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. S. scabiei extract was found to inhibit HMVEC-D expression of E-selectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, although not intercellular adhesion molecule-1. The secretion of interleukin-8 also was inhibited by S. scabiei extract. S. scabiei extract increased expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR-1 and both down-regulated and up-regulated expression of CXCR-2, depending on the concentration tested. These findings help explain the delayed inflammatory reaction to infestation with S. scabiei.