Demodex folliculorum in renal transplant patients.
BACKGROUND
Demodex folliculorum (DF), which is a resident in human pilosebaceous follicles, has been implicated in infections of patients under cancer chemotherapy and with AIDS.


OBJECTIVE
We aimed to determine the influence of immunosuppression on carriage of DF.


METHODS
Mite density was compared, of 30 renal transplant (RT) patients under a combination therapy of cyclosporine, azathioprine and prednisolone with that of age- and sex-matched controls. Two samples of standardized skin surface biopsies were taken from each subject.


RESULTS
DF was not found in any of the RT patients while a mean density of 0.55 DF/cm2 was present in healthy subjects (Fisher's exact test, p < 0.0001). The relationship between mite density and classic risk factors was not found to be statistically significant (Fisher's exact test, p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that there may be other factors than immunosuppressive therapy influencing DF density.
Aydingöz
I E
IE
Dermatology Clinic of Haydarpaşa, Numune Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Mansur
T
T
Dervent
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000009:adverse effects; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008924:Mite Infestations / Q000209:etiology*; D008925:Mites; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000009:adverse effects; D012867:Skin / Q000469:parasitology*
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D011239:Prednisolone; D001379:Azathioprine