[Results of examination of the local immunity in demodectic blepharoconjunctivitis]

Described in the paper are the results of examination of the local immunity in patients with demodectic blepharoconjunctivitis (DBC). Demodicosis of the eyes was established to develop in impairments of the local immunity described by a lower level of IL-4 in lacrimal fluid, a lower relative quantity of CD3+ cells, and a higher relative count of CD16+-lymphocytes infiltrating the eyelid-conjunctiva epithelium. The age-related immunodeficiency manifested as a decreased relative number of CD3+ and CD4+-lymphocytes infiltrating the eyelid-conjunctiva epithelium provokes a higher invasion of ticks and an increased morbidity of demodicosis among elderly people. DBC, when complicated by episcleritis or keratitis, is accompanied by a higher IgE level in lacrimal fluid and a decreased ratio of IgE/IL-4, which matters in prognostication and pathogenetic substantiation of DBC therapy.