Demodex Folliculorum and Rosacea Demodex Folliculorum and Rosacea

Abstract

Demodex folliculorum is an obligate parasite of human pilosebaceous follicle. Though attempts to elucidate the role of demodex in rosacea have produced conflicting results but several studies have suggested that this mite play a role in rosacea. This is a comparative, descriptive cross – sectional study that carried out on 39 rosacea and 41 non rosacea patients. These patients have biopsied in Department of Dermatology of Hamadan Sina Hospital in 5 years during 1993-1998. The mean of demodex F. in the skin face of rosacea was 1.103 and for non-rosacea patients was 0.171. This difference from statistical aspect was meaningful (P 0.05). The mean of demodex in patients over 40 year in comparison of below 40 years was meaningful (P < 0.05). In this study the mean of demodex in rosacea was higher than that of control group. But a prospective study with normal skin as control group is needed to clarify the exact role of demodex in rosacea.

Keywords

• acne rosacea / demodex folliculorum