Zeliha Erciyas GÖKGÖZ, Ayşe Nuriye VARIŞLI, Esin YAZAR, Yeter ÇALIŞKAN
Intercontinental Journal of Internal Medicine - 2026;4(2):42-45
Aims: Demodex spp. are ectoparasites that are believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of various dermatological and ocular diseases. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Demodex spp. in patients with chronic blepharitis and rosacea and to contribute to the existing epidemiological data. Methods: This study was conducted between December 2019 and December 2025 and included 40 patients with chronic blepharitis, 40 patients with rosacea, and 40 healthy controls. Eyelash samples were collected from patients with blepharitis, whereas skin samples from the cheek and forehead were obtained from patients with rosacea. All samples were examined under light microscopy using 10x and 40x objectives. Results: Demodex spp. were detected in 47.5% of patients with blepharitis and 62.5% of patients with rosacea. The overall positivity rate was 55% (44/80) in the patient group and 12.5% (5/40) in the control group, representing a statistically significant difference (p<0.001). Fisher's exact test also confirmed this significant association (p<0.001). Patients with blepharitis and rosacea had significantly higher odds of Demodex positivity compared with controls (OR=8.56, 95% CI: 3.04-24.09). Demodex positivity appeared to be more common in older age groups. In patients with blepharitis, positivity was more frequent in males. Conclusion: Demodex spp. positivity was significantly higher in patients with chronic blepharitis and rosacea than in healthy controls. These findings suggest that Demodex spp. may contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory ocular and dermatological diseases.
