Demodex spp Distribution in Patients with Alcohol Abuse

Abstract

Objective: Demodex is an ectoparasite that can infest the human body. The infestation can progress rapidly when the immune system is suppressed. The condition has also been reported to be more common in subjects with alcohol abuse because of the associated immune system abnormalities and decreased hygiene. Our aim in this study was to determine whether a relationship was present between Demodex spp. infestation and alcohol abuse Methods: A total of 26 patients diagnosed with alcohol abuse according to DSM-5 at the psychiatry outpatient department and 24 age-and gender-matched healthy volunteers who met the study inclusion criteria were included in the study. A standard superficial skin biopsy (SSSB) was used in the diagnosis of Demodex folliculorum. The compliance of the numeric variables with the normal distribution was investigated with the Shapiro-Wilk test. The data were presented as mean, standard deviation and percentages Results. A significant relationship was found between Demodex presence and alcohol abuse (p=0.001). The relationship was also significant when patients with both alcohol abuse and smoking were investigated (p<0.001). Conclusion: The Demodex spp. infestation incidence may be increased in patients with alcohol abuse. We recommend providing the relevant treatment especially for erythematous and itchy facial lesions in these patients as Demodex spp. can be opportunistic pathogens.