Demodicidosis in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: An opportunistic infection occurring with immunosuppression

Abstract

We report demodicidosis in 11 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and a mildly pruritic, erythematous papular dermatitis that developed in areas rich in sebaceous glands. Demodex eruptions were safely and effectively treated with 5% permethrin. Proliferation of commensal parasites of the skin, Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis may be an opportunistic infection of the skin in the immunocompromised host; the expected abrogation of cell-mediated immunity secondary to lymphocyte depletion predisposes some children given chemotherapy for leukemia to mite proliferation. (J P EDIATR 1995;127:751-4)