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Demodex folliculorum in renal transplant patients
I E Aydingöz1, T Mansur, B Dervent
1Dermatology Clinic of Haydarpaşa, Numune Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Background:
Demodex folliculorum (DF), which is a resident in human pilosebaceous follicles, has been implicated in infections of patients under cancer chemotherapy and with AIDS.
Objective:
We aimed to determine the influence of immunosuppression on carriage of DF.
Methods:
Mite density was compared, of 30 renal transplant (RT) patients under a combination therapy of cyclosporine, azathioprine and prednisolone with that of age- and sex-matched controls. Two samples of standardized skin surface biopsies were taken from each subject.
Results:
DF was not found in any of the RT patients while a mean density of 0.55 DF/cm2 was present in healthy subjects (Fisher's exact test, p < 0.0001). The relationship between mite density and classic risk factors was not found to be statistically significant (Fisher's exact test, p > 0.05).
Conclusion:
Our findings indicate that there may be other factors than immunosuppressive therapy influencing DF density.
Insights
Immunosuppression, often seen in renal transplant patients, appears to eliminate Demodex folliculorum (DF) mites from the skin. Further research is needed to identify other factors influencing DF density.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Demodex folliculorum (DF) mites reside in human pilosebaceous follicles.
- DF has been linked to infections in immunocompromised individuals, including cancer chemotherapy and AIDS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of immunosuppression on Demodex folliculorum (DF) mite carriage.
- To compare DF mite density in renal transplant recipients with healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 30 renal transplant (RT) patients on immunosuppressive therapy (cyclosporine, azathioprine, prednisolone) and age/sex-matched controls.
- Standardized skin surface biopsies were collected from each participant to quantify mite density.
Main Results:
- Demodex folliculorum (DF) mites were absent in all renal transplant patients.
- Healthy subjects exhibited a mean DF density of 0.55 mites/cm² (p < 0.0001).
- No statistically significant correlation was found between DF density and established risk factors (p > 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Immunosuppressive therapy in renal transplant patients was associated with the complete absence of Demodex folliculorum (DF).
- The findings suggest that factors beyond immunosuppression may influence DF density.
- Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms behind DF absence in immunosuppressed individuals.