ABSTRACT

To examine the possible associations between Demodex folliculorum and a number of skin diseases.

Standardized skin surface biopsy samples were obtained from the cheeks of 144 patients with histopathologically proven basal cell carcinoma (BCC, n=27), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC, n=28), melanoma (n=23), discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE, n=32), and rosacea (n=34). Thirty-four sex- and age-matched healthy volunteers served as controls. Mite density (per cm2 ) and infestation (density≥5) were compared between the controls and patients.

Mite infestation rates (%) did not differ significantly between the controls (20.6) and patients with BCC (22.2, p=0.88), SCC (17.9, p=0.79), melanoma (4.3, p=0.08), and DLE (21.9, p=0.90). Compared with the controls, the mite infestation rate was significantly higher in patients with rosacea (47.1, p=0.02, odds ratio: 3.43, 95% confidence interval: 1.18-9.99). The mean mite density did not differ significantly between the controls (4.11±2.17) and patients with BCC (5.34±2.35, p=0.75), SCC (3.57±2.01, p=0.38), and DLE (3.56±1.34, p=0.83), whereas it was significantly higher in patients with rosacea (8.78±3.58, p=0.02) and lower in patients with melanoma (1.89±0.69, p=0.02).

D. folliculorum may be associated with rosacea and melanoma but not with BCC, SCC, or DLE. (Turkiye Parazitol Derg 2015; 39: 41-6)

Keywords: Basal cell carcinoma, Demodex, discoid lupus erythematosus, melanoma, rosacea, squamous cell carcinoma