Tear cytokines and chemokines in patients with Demodex blepharitis.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the causes of inflammation in Demodex-induced blepharitis by analyzing cytokine levels in lacrimal fluid.


METHODS
Fifteen Demodex blepharitis patients were selected for assessment of tear cytokine concentrations. Fifteen Demodex-free blepharitis patients and 15 subjects with no ocular symptoms were selected as control groups. Minimally stimulated tear samples (20μl) were collected from each eye and analyzed using a Luminex® 200™ Total System for detection of IL-1β, IL-5, IL-7, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and macrophage inflammatory protein-1 beta (MIP-1β).


RESULTS
The concentration of IL-17 in tears was significantly higher in the Demodex blepharitis group than in the Demodex-free blepharitis group. Tear IL-7 and IL-12 levels show serial increases for these three groups (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in the other cytokines levels between both blepharitis groups. We confirmed that elevated cytokines normalized after treatments.


CONCLUSIONS
Infestation of Demodex mites induces change of tear cytokine levels, IL-17 especially, which cause inflammation of the lid margin and ocular surface. These findings might increase our understanding of the mechanism of ocular discomfort and telangiectasias frequently found in Demodex blepharitis patients.
Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Yongsan Hospital, 65-207, Hangangro-3Ga, Yongsan-Gu, Seoul 140-757, Republic of Korea.
Jee Taek
JT
Kim
Seok Hyun
SH
Lee
Yeoun Sook
YS
Chun
Jae Chan
JC
Kim
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001762:Blepharitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000628:therapy; D018925:Chemokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D003710:Demography; D005123:Eye / Q000378:metabolism; D015822:Eye Infections, Parasitic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010271:Parasites / Q000502:physiology*; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism*
D018925:Chemokines