DEMODEX INFESTATION IN ACNE VULGARIS

Introduction: Acne is a very common skin disease in adolescents and young adults, but it also affects adults. However, its aetiology is not yet fully understood. Demodex mites are found on the skin of healthy people and patients with skin disorders Some reports indicate the association between acne vulgaris and demodicosis. Objectives: To investigate the Demodex infestation rate in acne patients and to analyze the relationship between Demodex infestation with some characteristics of the disease: age, gender, duration time of disease, clinical types of acne, severity of acne and GAGS score.  Material and methods: Case control study on an acne group of 40 acne patients and an age-sex matched healthy control group comprising 31 individuals at HCMC Hospital of Dermato - venereology. Dermatological examinations were performed and a direct microscopic examination was used to determine the presence of Demodex mites. Results:  The median age was 22.5 (inter-quartile range 20.25 – 25), acne affected women than men (72.5% versus 22.5%). The median age of onset was 19,5 (inter-quartile range 16-23). Demodex infestation was seen in 7 (17.5%) patients in the acne group and 0 (0%) in the control group; this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05) (OR =1.212; 95% CI: 1.051- 1.398) (p=0.015). Pain was related to Demodex positivity (OR=8.333 95% CI=1.906- 36.44), (p=0.003). Conclusions: The findings of our study emphasize that acne vulgaris is significantly associated with Demodex infestation. Demodex infestation should be considered when the classical therapies are ineffective especially in cases of post adolescent acne.