Demodex folliculorum in hair follicles of eyelid skin.
Although Demodex folliculorum is a common inhabitant of eyelid hair follicles, it has received scant attention by ophthalmologists in recent years. I examined 100 biopsies of eyelid skin for the presence of these mites. The incidence of infestation increased with age; 84% of all cases and 100% of cases over age 70 years were involved. No organisms were seen in sebaceous or meibomian glands. I found no pathologic changes except for follicular distention and hyperkeratosis and occasional mild chronic perifolliculitis. Circumstantial evidence for incriminating Demodex in human disease is good, although scientific proof is lacking.
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001762:Blepharitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D005143:Eyelids / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005499:Folliculitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D006197:Hair / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008924:Mite Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D008925:Mites / Q000302:isolation & purification