Evaluation of the sexual and age structure of infestation by the <i>Demodex</i> mite and percentage of complications of acne-related dermatoses with secondary demodicosis, depending on their severity

Abstract

Background. The article provides a detailed review of the etiopathogenetic, clinical and diagnostic aspects of demodectic skin of the face, considers the modern classification of this pathological condition, provides statistical data on the sex and age structure of population invasion by a tick of the genus Demodex, as well as the percentage of complications with secondary demodicosis of acneform dermatoses (rosacea and perioral dermatitis).
 Aim. To reveal the percentage of complications of the course of acneform dermatoses (perioral dermatitis and rosacea) with demodicosis, depending on the severity of the underlying disease, as well as the sex and age structure of the invasion among the patients of the study group.
 Materials and methods. In our own study, we assessed the sex and age structure of the Demodex mite infestation and the percentage of complications of rosacea and perioral dermatitis with secondary demodicosis, depending on their severity. The severity of clinical manifestations of rosacea was assessed using the rosacea diagnostic assessment scale; the PODSI index was used for perioral dermatitis. Before the start of the course of therapy and after its completion, all patients underwent a microscopic examination of scrapings from the skin of the face in order to detect a diagnostically significant number of individuals of the Demodex genus tick (5 or more). If a tick was found in scrapings, along with standard therapy drugs, patients were locally prescribed 1% ivermectin cream once a day for a course of 2 to 4 months, depending on the severity of the clinical manifestations of dermatosis.
 Results. It was found that the incidence of Demodex invasion in the study group increased in direct proportion to the severity of the clinical manifestations of dermatoses and the age of the patients. It was also found that among the patients of the study group, demodicosis was registered in women almost twice as often as in men. Topical use of 1% ivermectin cream has shown a high profile of the efficacy and safety of this drug.
 Conclusion. After the completing the treatment course, complete elimination of Demodex, confirmed by laboratory, was achieved in 100% of patients with demodicosis in the study group. There were no adverse events or side effects while taking the drug.