Demodicidosis in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia; an opportunistic infection occurring with immunosuppression.
We report demodicidosis in 11 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and a mildly pruritic, erythematous papular dermatitis that developed in areas rich in sebaceous glands. Dermodex eruptions were safely and effectively treated with 5% permethrin. Proliferation of commensal parasites of the skin, Dermodex folliculorum and Dermodex brevis may be an opportunistic infection of the skin in the immunocompromised host; the expected abrogation of cell-mediated immunity secondary to lymphocyte depletion predisposes some children given chemotherapy for leukemia to mite proliferation.
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007306:Insecticides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008924:Mite Infestations / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D009824:Ointments; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D026023:Permethrin; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011722:Pyrethrins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012074:Remission Induction; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology
D007306:Insecticides; D009824:Ointments; D011722:Pyrethrins; D026023:Permethrin