Demodicosis among immunocompromised patients: a review

Abstract

Introduction: Demodex mites (DM) are the most common ectoparasites of humans. Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis are the two species we are hosts for. Through the years there have been more data proving DM to be a pathogenic parasite. To this date it has not clear which groups of patients are clearly prone to develop demodicosis. Aim: To present a literature review in order to analyse and establish whether immunosuppressed patients are prone to develop demodicosis. Material and methods: Data were collected mostly from the PubMed database and through citation searching of the articles. Results: A total amount of 23 case reports and 13 original works were included. Out of them, 4 original works deny the correlation between demodicosis and immunosuppression whereas 9 original works suggest that correlation. Conclusions: Demodicosis seems to be correlated with immunosuppression, but it requires more study in the future.