Investigation of Demodex folliculorum frequency in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

BackgroundBackground: Demodex mites are acari that reside in the pilosebaceous unit of the skin and have been associated with skin disorders.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Demodex folliculorum (D. folliculorum) mites in polycystic ovary syndrome patients as well as to examine the relationship between Demodex infestation and the presence of acne and oily or dry skin types in polycystic ovary syndrome patients.Methods41 polycystic ovary syndrome patients and 47 non-polycystic ovary syndrome control subjects were enrolled in the study. polycystic ovary syndrome was diagnosed according to the revised 2003 ESHRE/ASRM polycystic ovary syndrome Consensus Workshop Group diagnostic criteria. Microscopic examination of D. folliculorum mites was carried out by standardized skin surface biopsy. The result was considered positive when there were more than 5 mites per cm2.ResultsD. folliculorum was positive in 53.7% of the polycystic ovary syndrome patients and 31.9% of the non-polycystic ovary syndrome group (p=0.052). Demodex positivity was significantly associated with acne (p=0.003) and oily skin (p=0.005) in the polycystic ovary syndrome patients but not in the controls.Study limitationOur study is limited by the relatively small number of subjects and the observational nature of the study design.ConclusionDemodex mites might have a role in acne pathogenesis in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Anti-Demodex treatment may increase the response to treatment of acne. Further studies are indicated.

Evaluation of demodicosis, nailfold capillaroscopy, and oxidative stress in rosacea: a case-control study

“…The preparation was examined under a light microscope at 40× and 100× magnification. The result was considered positive when there were more than five Demodex mites in a 1-cm 2 area [ 22 ].…”

Ocular Rosacea and Zoonotic Demodicosis

“…Other factors may change the environment the skin photo-type, sunlight exposure, alcohol intake, smoking, stress, hot beverages, spicy food, and abrupt changes in temperature (Bernstein, 1982). Demodex mites developed in patients whose local or systemic compromised immune status by topical or systemic steroids or other immunosuppressive diseases such as leukemia and HIV (Kulac et al, 2008), particularly children (Morras et al, 2003) and polycystic ovary syndrome (Eser et al, 2017). Demodex can block hair or roseaceous skin rash (Alexander, 1984).…”

Data on Demodex Ectoparasite Infestation in Patients Attending an Outpatient Clinic in Greece

“…The density of visible Demodex mites that appeared as spindle-shaped, transparent forms with stripes across the abdominal area was assessed in each case by calculating the number of mites per visual field. The samples were categorized as positive when the mite density was greater than 5 mites/cm 2 [17,18,22].…”