[Quantitative study on infestation and distribution of human Demodex on the face]

We have tried to use 1.2 cm x 5 cm (6 cm2) adhesive cellophane tape technique for quantitative detection of Demodex. 618 mites were detected on the 24 tapes applied on various parts of the face of a healthy individual. In an investigation of 8 person-times, the numbers of mites found on various parts of the face were in the following order: upper-cheek (233), mid-cheek (153), lower-cheek (114), chin (78), forehead (59.5), nose (55), infraorbital (54.5), paraoral (49.5), nasal groove (45), mites found on other parts being negligible. Demodex brevis were found scattering singly on the tapes, while D. follicutorum were found 1-6 in number in one or several follicles. All of them were in the follicle opening, indicating that transmission was readily affected through direct or indirect contacts. The results also showed that when a large number of mites were sticked off, the intensity of infestation was decreased.