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Associations between Demodex species infestation and various types of cancer

Özlem Uysal Sönmez1, Zeliha Gülter Yalçın, Engin Karakeçe

  • 1Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey.

Acta Parasitologica
|December 17, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Cancer patients, particularly those with breast cancer, show a higher incidence of Demodex mite infestation. This suggests cancer may be a risk factor for Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis parasitic infestations.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Oncology
  • Parasitology

Background:

  • Tumor-associated immune cells can suppress immune responses, potentially increasing susceptibility to parasitic infestations.
  • Demodex species (Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis) are common hair follicle inhabitants.
  • The impact of cancer on Demodex infestation is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the incidence and infestation rates of Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis in cancer patients.
  • To determine if cancer, specifically different types, is a risk factor for Demodex infestation.

Main Methods:

  • 101 cancer patients were analyzed, categorized by cancer type.
  • Skin slides were examined for Demodex using light microscopy (×40 and ×100).
  • Infestation was defined as ≥5 living parasites/cm².

Main Results:

  • 76.2% of cancer patients (77/101) tested positive for Demodex species.
  • Breast cancer patients had the highest infestation rate (47.4%), followed by lung (29.2%), gastrointestinal (18.5%), and urogenital (16.7%) cancer groups.
  • Demodex species infestation was significantly higher in breast cancer patients.

Conclusions:

  • Cancer, particularly breast cancer, is identified as a risk factor for Demodex species infestation.
  • The findings suggest a potential link between the tumor microenvironment and increased susceptibility to Demodex parasites.

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