Demodex folliculorum and topical treatment: acaricidal action evaluated by standardized skin surface biopsy.
A standardized skin surface biopsy was performed in 34 patients suffering from skin diseases with high Demodex folliculorum density (Dd) > 5D/cm2 before, during and after topical treatment. The patients were randomized into six comparable groups to study six topical treatments: metronidazole 2%, permethrin 1%, sublimed sulphur 10%, lindane 1%, crotamiton 10% and benzyl benzoate (BB) 10%. Their acaricidal activity was measured according to three criteria: (i) for each treatment, decrease of Dd to under the normal threshold (< or = 5 D/cm2); (ii) for each treatment, a significant decrease in Dd; and (iii) comparison of the relative difference in Dd between treatments. These three criteria converged to establish the acaricidal activity of BB on D. folliculorum; the efficacy of crotamiton was demonstrated by the second criterion. An important irritating effect was observed with BB and sulphur.
Forton
F
F
Clinic of Dermatology, Saint Pierre University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium.
Seys
B
B
Marchal
J L
JL
Song
A M
AM
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D001565:Benzoates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008924:Mite Infestations / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D012867:Skin / Q000469:parasitology*; D014052:Toluidines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001565:Benzoates; D007306:Insecticides; D014052:Toluidines; C005553:crotamiton; C006723:benzyl benzoate