[Demodex] Pathogenic role of Demodex mites in blepharitis (2010)

Tso · September 10, 2015, 11:10pm

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pathogenic role of Demodex mites in blepharitis.

J Liu, H Sheha and SC Tseng, Current opinion in allergy and clinical immunology, Oct 2010

To summarize the key literature and our research experience regarding Demodex infestation as a potential cause of ocular inflammatory diseases with a special emphasis on Demodex blepharitis.Two distinct Demodex species have been confirmed as a cause of blepharitis: Demodex folliculorum can cause anterior blepharitis associated with disorders of eyelashes, and D. brevis can cause posterior blepharitis with meibomian gland dysfunction and keratoconjunctivitis. Tea tree oil treatments with either 50% lid scrubs or 5% lid massages are effective in eradicating mites and reducing ocular surface inflammation.Demodex blepharitis is a common but overlooked external eye disease. The pathogenesis of Demodex blepharitis in eliciting ocular surface inflammation has been further clarified. The modified eyelash sampling and counting method makes it easier and more accurate to diagnose Demodex infestation. Tea tree oil shows promising potential to treat Demodex blepharitis by reducing Demodex counts with additional antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory actions.

Tso · September 13, 2015, 11:38am

A post was merged into an existing topic: Demodex studies