title: Prevalence of Demodex spp. in eyelash follicles in different populations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The pathologic relevance of Demodex infestation in blepharitis is still controversial. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of Demodex spp. in eyelash follicles and its relationship to eye symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 290 individuals were studied for the presence of Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis within eyelash follicles. Participants belonged to one of four groups: inpatients, drug abusers, health professionals, and medical students. Ten eyelashes were epilated from each subject, placed on microscope slides and examined for parasites. The sample was defined as positive if at least one parasite or parasite's ova were present. The presence of parasites was analyzed according to age, gender, place of living, reported eye problems, and use of contact lenses or glasses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of Demodex spp. infestation among all studied subjects was 41%, with the highest infestation rate among inpatients (p < 0.01) and elderly people (p < 0.001). No difference regarding the presence of Demodex was found between women and men (p = 0.76). Demodex folliculorum was about 2.4 times more frequent than D. brevis. The prevalence of Demodex spp. in subjects with and without eye complaints suggesting blepharitis was similar (41.6% vs. 40.2%, respectively, p = 0.9). On the other hand, wearing glasses was linked to Demodex infestation (48.4% vs. 32.3%, p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Demodex is a common saprophyte found in human eyelash follicles. Its presence might be related to some ocular discomfort; however, in the vast majority of cases the infestation seems to be asymptomatic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wesolowska
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Brygida
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Knysz
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reich
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Dominika
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Blazejewska
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Czarnecki
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gladysz
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pozowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Misiuk-Hojlo
keywords: Demodex; blepharitis; demodicosis; mites; prevalence