Prevalence of Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis in childhood malnutrition and malignancy. Issue 1 (14th February 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kaya, Sadik; Selimoglu, Mukadder Ayse; Kaya, Ozlem Aycan; Ozgen, Unsal
• Is Part Of: Pediatrics international. Volume 55:Issue 1(2013)
• Page Start: 85
• Page End: 89
• Publication Date: 2013-02-14
• Subjects: Pediatrics -- Periodicals; 618.92
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-200X.2012.03740.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1328-8067

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="ped3740-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Hair follicle mites, <italic>Demodex folliculorum</italic> and <italic>Demodex brevis</italic>, are known to accompany immune‐deficiency states, however no study so far has investigated their presence in malnutrition. In this study we aimed to determine the prevalence of those mites in childhood malnutrition, malignancy and risk factors.</p> </sec> <sec id="ped3740-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>One hundred children with malnutrition, 31 children with malignancy and 63 children without any chronic disease and infection were included in this study. History, physical examination, anthropometric measurements and routine laboratory findings were recorded. <italic>Demodex spp.</italic> were investigated by standard superficial skin biopsies.</p> </sec> <sec id="ped3740-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p> <italic>Demodex</italic> was found in 25 patients (25%), 10 patients (32.3%), and one patient (1.6%) among malnutrition, malignancy, and control groups, respectively (<italic>P</italic> = 0.001). By using multilogistic regression binary method, it was found that malnutrition, malignancy and low socioeconomic level increased the risk 17.37 times (<italic>P</italic> = 0.006), 27.29 times (<italic>P</italic> = 0.002), and 2.3 times (<italic>P</italic> = 0.037), respectively. Of 22 children who were evaluated after 6 months, 13 (59.1%) were negative for <italic>Demodex</italic>. In 11 (84.6%) of those 13, nutritional status was improved.</p> </sec> <sec id="ped3740-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p> <italic>Demodex</italic> was detected in approximately in one‐quarter and one‐third of children with malnutrition and malignancy, respectively. Eliminating the cause of immunosuppression, such as poor nutritional status, seems also to be an effective method for eliminating <italic>Demodex</italic>.</p> </sec> </abstract>