eMedicine Specialties > Ophthalmology > Infectious Disease

Demodicosis: Multimedia

Author: Manolette R Roque, MD, MBA, DPBO, FPAO, President and CEO, Chief of Service, Ocular Immunology and Uveitis, Consulting Staff, Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Eye Republic Ophthalmology Clinic; General Manager, Ophthalmic Consultants Philippines Co; Consulting Staff, CME Liaison, Section Chief of Ocular Immunology and Uveitis, Department of Ophthalmology, Asian Hospital and Medical Center
Coauthor(s): Barbara L Roque, MD, Full Partner, Ophthalmic Consultants Philippines Co, Chief of Service, Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, Consulting Staff, Orbit and Eye Plastics, EYE REPUBLIC Ophthalmology Clinic; C Stephen Foster, MD, FACS, FACR, FAAO, Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School; Consulting Staff, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary; Founder and President, Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation, Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Apr 7, 2008

Multimedia

Illustration of Demodex folliculorum. Reprinted f...
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Media file 1: Illustration of Demodex folliculorum. Reprinted from BIODIDAC, Arthropoda Chelicerata Demodex, submitted by Livingstone, with permission from Antoine Morin, Biodidac, University of Ottawa.
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Illustration of Demodex folliculorum. Reprinted f...

Illustration of Demodex folliculorum. Reprinted from BIODIDAC, Arthropoda Chelicerata Demodex, submitted by Livingstone, with permission from Antoine Morin, Biodidac, University of Ottawa.

Eyelid section shows Demodex folliculorum (M) in ...
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Media file 2: Eyelid section shows Demodex folliculorum (M) in the hair follicle. Note mite mouthparts (arrow) embedded in epithelium and straplike layers of keratin (hematoxylin and eosin, X400). Reprinted from Am J Ophthal Vol. 91, English FP, Nutting WB, Demodicosis of Ophthalmic Concern, 362-372, 1981, with permission from Elsevier Science.
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Eyelid section shows Demodex folliculorum (M) in ...

Eyelid section shows Demodex folliculorum (M) in the hair follicle. Note mite mouthparts (arrow) embedded in epithelium and straplike layers of keratin (hematoxylin and eosin, X400). Reprinted from Am J Ophthal Vol. 91, English FP, Nutting WB, Demodicosis of Ophthalmic Concern, 362-372, 1981, with permission from Elsevier Science.

Section of sebaceous gland of an eyelash shows De...
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Media file 3: Section of sebaceous gland of an eyelash shows Demodex brevis (M). Note gland cell (C) destruction (McManus, X375). Reprinted from Am J Ophthal Vol. 91, English FP, Nutting WB, Demodicosis of Ophthalmic Concern, 362-372, 1981, with permission from Elsevier Science.
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Section of sebaceous gland of an eyelash shows De...

Section of sebaceous gland of an eyelash shows Demodex brevis (M). Note gland cell (C) destruction (McManus, X375). Reprinted from Am J Ophthal Vol. 91, English FP, Nutting WB, Demodicosis of Ophthalmic Concern, 362-372, 1981, with permission from Elsevier Science.

Cross-section through small hair follicle of the ...
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Media file 4: Cross-section through small hair follicle of the eyelid. Note distension, hyperplasia, and moderate epithelial keratinization caused by the activities of Demodex folliculorum (arrow) (hematoxylin and eosin, X375). Reprinted from Am J Ophthal Vol. 91, English FP, Nutting WB, Demodicosis of Ophthalmic Concern, 362-372, 1981, with permission from Elsevier Science.
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Cross-section through small hair follicle of the ...

Cross-section through small hair follicle of the eyelid. Note distension, hyperplasia, and moderate epithelial keratinization caused by the activities of Demodex folliculorum (arrow) (hematoxylin and eosin, X375). Reprinted from Am J Ophthal Vol. 91, English FP, Nutting WB, Demodicosis of Ophthalmic Concern, 362-372, 1981, with permission from Elsevier Science.

Section of eyelid shows eyelash (L), cuffing (C),...
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Media file 5: Section of eyelid shows eyelash (L), cuffing (C), and small segment of Demodex folliculorum (M). Note layering of cuff (Masson, X275). Reprinted from Am J Ophthal Vol. 91, English FP, Nutting WB, Demodicosis of Ophthalmic Concern, 362-372, 1981, with permission from Elsevier Science.
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Section of eyelid shows eyelash (L), cuffing (C),...

Section of eyelid shows eyelash (L), cuffing (C), and small segment of Demodex folliculorum (M). Note layering of cuff (Masson, X275). Reprinted from Am J Ophthal Vol. 91, English FP, Nutting WB, Demodicosis of Ophthalmic Concern, 362-372, 1981, with permission from Elsevier Science.

Demodex folliculorum.
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Media file 6: Demodex folliculorum.
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Demodex folliculorum.

Demodex folliculorum.

Demodex along the shaft of the cilia.
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Media file 7: Demodex along the shaft of the cilia.
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Demodex along the shaft of the cilia.

Demodex along the shaft of the cilia.

Demodex along the shaft of the cilia (higher magn...
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Media file 8: Demodex along the shaft of the cilia (higher magnification).
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Demodex along the shaft of the cilia (higher magn...

Demodex along the shaft of the cilia (higher magnification).

Backsides of numerous pubic crabs with infestatio...
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Media file 9: Backsides of numerous pubic crabs with infestation of the lashes and secondary blepharitis. Reprinted with permission from H.D. Riley, OD, Indiana University School of Optometry.
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Backsides of numerous pubic crabs with infestatio...

Backsides of numerous pubic crabs with infestation of the lashes and secondary blepharitis. Reprinted with permission from H.D. Riley, OD, Indiana University School of Optometry.

Phthiriasis (Phthirus pubis) pubic crab lash infe...
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Media file 10: Phthiriasis (Phthirus pubis) pubic crab lash infestation and secondary blepharitis. Reprinted with permission from H.D. Riley, OD, Indiana University School of Optometry.
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Phthiriasis (Phthirus pubis) pubic crab lash infe...

Phthiriasis (Phthirus pubis) pubic crab lash infestation and secondary blepharitis. Reprinted with permission from H.D. Riley, OD, Indiana University School of Optometry.

Phthiriasis (pubic lice). Reprinted with permissi...
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Media file 11: Phthiriasis (pubic lice). Reprinted with permission from H.D. Riley, OD, Indiana University School of Optometry.
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Phthiriasis (pubic lice). Reprinted with permissi...

Phthiriasis (pubic lice). Reprinted with permission from H.D. Riley, OD, Indiana University School of Optometry.

More on Demodicosis

Overview: Demodicosis
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Demodicosis
Treatment & Medication: Demodicosis
Follow-up: Demodicosis
Multimedia: Demodicosis
References
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References

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  3. Spickett SG. Studies on Demodex folliculorum, Simon (1842). I. Life history. Parasitology. May 1961;51:181-192.

  4. Post DF, Juhlin E. Demodex folliculorum and blepharitis. Arch Dermatol. 1963;88:298-302.

  5. Kheirkhah A, Blanco G, Casas V, Tseng SC. Fluorescein dye improves microscopic evaluation and counting of demodex in blepharitis with cylindrical dandruff. Cornea. Jul 2007;26(6):697-700. [Medline].

  6. Celerio J, Fariza-Guttman E, Morales V. Pilocarpine as a coadjuvant treatment of blepharoconjunctivitis caused by Demodex folliculorum. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1989;30 (Suppl):40.

  7. Gao YY, Di Pascuale MA, Elizondo A, Tseng SC. Clinical treatment of ocular demodicosis by lid scrub with tea tree oil. Cornea. Feb 2007;26(2):136-43. [Medline].

  8. Aydingöz IE, Dervent B, Güney O. Demodex folliculorum in pregnancy. Int J Dermatol. Oct 2000;39(10):743-5. [Medline].

  9. Aylesworth R, Vance JC. Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis in cutaneous biopsies. J Am Acad Dermatol. Nov 1982;7(5):583-9. [Medline].

  10. Barrio J, Lecona M, Hernanz JM, Sanchez M, Gurbindo MD, Lazaro P, et al. Rosacea-like demodicosis in an HIV-positive child. Dermatology. 1996;192(2):143-5. [Medline].

  11. Beaver PC, Jung RC, Cupp EW. Clinical parasitology. In: Clinical Parasitology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Lea & Febiger: 1984:596.

  12. Clifford CW, Fulk GW. Association of diabetes, lash loss, and Staphylococcus aureus with infestation of eyelids by Demodex folliculorum (Acari: Demodicidae). J Med Entomol. Jul 1990;27(4):467-70. [Medline].

  13. Crosti C, Menni S, Sala F, Piccinno R. Demodectic infestation of the pilosebaceous follicle. J Cutan Pathol. Aug 1983;10(4):257-61. [Medline].

  14. Damian D, Rogers M. Demodex infestation in a child with leukaemia: treatment with ivermectin and permethrin. Int J Dermatol. Sep 2003;42(9):724-6. [Medline].

  15. Demmler M, de Kaspar HM, Mohring C. Blepharitis. Demodex folliculorum, associated pathogen spectrum and specific therapy. Ophthalmologe. Mar 1997;94(3):191-6. [Medline].

  16. English FP, Iwamoto T, Darrell RW, DeVoe AG. The vector potential of Demodex folliculorum. Arch Ophthalmol. Jul 1970;84(1):83-5. [Medline].

  17. English FP, Nutting WB. Demodicosis of ophthalmic concern. Am J Ophthalmol. Mar 1981;91(3):362-72. [Medline].

  18. Forton F, Germaux MA, Brasseur T, De Liever A, Laporte M, Mathys C, et al. Demodicosis and rosacea: epidemiology and significance in daily dermatologic practice. J Am Acad Dermatol. Jan 2005;52(1):74-87. [Medline].

  19. Fulk GW, Clifford C. A case report of demodicosis. J Am Optom Assoc. Aug 1990;61(8):637-9. [Medline].

  20. Fulk GW, Murphy B, Robins MD. Pilocarpine gel for the treatment of demodicosis--a case series. Optom Vis Sci. Dec 1996;73(12):742-5. [Medline].

  21. Gao YY, Di Pascuale MA, Li W, Baradaran-Rafii A, Elizondo A, Kuo CL, et al. In vitro and in vivo killing of ocular Demodex by tea tree oil. Br J Ophthalmol. Nov 2005;89(11):1468-73. [Medline].

  22. Heacock CE. Clinical manifestations of demodicosis. J Am Optom Assoc. Dec 1986;57(12):914-9. [Medline].

  23. Humiczewska M. [Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis (Acarida) as the factors of chronic marginal blepharitis]. Wiad Parazytol. 1991;37(1):127-30. [Medline].

  24. Jacobson JH. Demodex folliculorum infestation of the eyelids. Trans Am Acad Ophthalmol Otolaryngol. Nov-Dec 1971;75(6):1242-4. [Medline].

  25. Junk AK, Lukacs A, Kampik A. [Topical administration of metronidazole gel as an effective therapy alternative in chronic Demodex blepharitis--a case report]. Klin Monatsbl Augenheilkd. Jul 1998;213(1):48-50. [Medline].

  26. Kamoun B, Fourati M, Feki J, Mlik M, Karray F, Trigui A, et al. [Blepharitis due to Demodex: myth or reality?]. J Fr Ophtalmol. May 1999;22(5):525-7. [Medline].

  27. Karincaoglu Y, Bayram N, Aycan O. The clinical importance of demodex folliculorum presenting with nonspecific facial signs and symptoms. J Dermatol. Aug 2004;31(8):618-26. [Medline].

  28. Kheirkhah A, Casas V, Li W, Raju VK, Tseng SC. Corneal manifestations of ocular demodex infestation. Am J Ophthalmol. May 2007;143(5):743-749. [Medline].

  29. Morfin Maciel BM. [Demodicidosis in a female patient treated as allergic blepharoconjunctivitis. A case report]. Rev Alerg Mex. Nov-Dec 2003;50(6):232-6. [Medline].

  30. Morrás PG, Santos SP, Imedio IL, Echeverría ML, Hermosa JM. Rosacea-like demodicidosis in an immunocompromised child. Pediatr Dermatol. Jan-Feb 2003;20(1):28-30. [Medline].

  31. Norn MS. The follicle mite (Demodex folliculorum). Eye Ear Nose Throat Mon. May 1972;51(5):187-91. [Medline].

  32. Nutting WB. Hair follicle mites (Demodex spp.) of medical and veterinary concern. Cornell Vet. Apr 1976;66(2):214-31. [Medline].

  33. Nutting WB, Beerman H. Demodicosis and symbiophobia: status, terminology, and treatments. Int J Dermatol. Jan-Feb 1983;22(1):13-7. [Medline].

  34. Skrlin J, Richter B, Basta-Juzbasic A, Matica B, Ivacic B, Cvrlje M, et al. Demodicosis and rosacea. Lancet. Mar 23 1991;337(8743):734. [Medline].

  35. Zimmerman TJ, et al, eds. Textbook of Ocular Pharmacology. 1997.

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Further Reading

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Keywords

Demodex folliculorum, Demodex folliculorum longus, Demodex folliculorum brevis, Demodex folliculorum hominis, Demodex mites, follicle mites, blepharitis, common ectoparasites of the ocular adnexa, hair follicle mites

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Manolette R Roque, MD, MBA, DPBO, FPAO, President and CEO, Chief of Service, Ocular Immunology and Uveitis, Consulting Staff, Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Eye Republic Ophthalmology Clinic; General Manager, Ophthalmic Consultants Philippines Co; Consulting Staff, CME Liaison, Section Chief of Ocular Immunology and Uveitis, Department of Ophthalmology, Asian Hospital and Medical Center
Manolette R Roque, MD, MBA, DPBO, FPAO is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmic Executives, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators, American Uveitis Society, International Ocular Inflammation Society, Philippine Medical Association, Philippine Ocular Inflammation Society, and Philippine Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Barbara L Roque, MD, Full Partner, Ophthalmic Consultants Philippines Co, Chief of Service, Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, Consulting Staff, Orbit and Eye Plastics, EYE REPUBLIC Ophthalmology Clinic
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

C Stephen Foster, MD, FACS, FACR, FAAO, Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School; Consulting Staff, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary; Founder and President, Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation, Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution
C Stephen Foster, MD, FACS, FACR, FAAO is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association of Immunologists, American College of Rheumatology, American College of Surgeons, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, American Uveitis Society, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Medical Society, Royal Society of Medicine, and Sigma Xi
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Fernando H Murillo-Lopez, MD, Senior Surgeon, Unidad Privada de Oftalmologia CEMES
Fernando H Murillo-Lopez, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute; Chief of Section of Ophthalmology Surgical Services, Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare Center, West Los Angeles
Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Christopher J Rapuano, MD, Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Jefferson Medical College; Co-Chairman of the Cornea Service, Co-Chairman of Refractive Surgery Department, Wills Eye Hospital
Christopher J Rapuano, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Eye Bank Association of America, Pennsylvania Medical Society, and Philadelphia County Medical Society
Disclosure: Allergan Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Allergan Consulting fee Consulting; Alcon Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Inspire Honoraria Speaking and teaching; RPS Ownership interest Other

CME Editor

Lance L Brown, OD, MD, Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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