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Demodicidosis in an immunodeficient child
J Castanet1, F Monpoux, R Mariani
1Department of Dermatology, University of Nice, France.
Pediatric Dermatology
|May 1, 1997
Summary
A young girl with acute lymphoblastic leukemia developed a facial rash caused by Demodex mites. Treatment with metronidazole, erythromycin, and lindane cream successfully cleared the dermatosis.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pediatric Oncology
Background:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a common childhood cancer.
- Chemotherapy for ALL can lead to immunosuppression, increasing susceptibility to infections and infestations.
- Maintaining remission often involves long-term therapy, potentially altering the skin microbiome.
Observation:
- A 3-year-old girl, previously treated for ALL with complete remission, presented with a facial eruption.
- The eruption consisted of excoriated papules and pustules.
- Demodex folliculorum infestation was suspected as the causative agent.
Findings:
- Topical metronidazole provided only partial improvement for the Demodex folliculorum-related facial dermatosis.
- A combination of oral erythromycin and topical 1% lindane cream achieved complete resolution of the skin condition.
- This case highlights a rare dermatological complication in a pediatric patient with a history of leukemia.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering Demodex infestations in immunocompromised pediatric patients presenting with unusual skin lesions.
- Effective treatment strategies may involve a multimodal approach combining antibiotics and parasiticides.
- Further research into the dermatological manifestations of ALL treatment and their management is warranted.