Answer to Case 581

Answer toParasite Case of the Week 581:Demodex folliculorum, the human follicle mite.Demodexare fascinating arthropods that live in our follicles and sebaceous glands. There are 2 species found in humans:D. folliculorumand the shorter D. brevis. Many of us have them - especially as we get older - and they are mostly commensals, not causing any symptoms. However, they may cause rosacea and blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids) in some individuals.As with all arachnids, they have 8 legs as nymphs and adults, and 6 legs as larvae. Adults have a genital opening right below the legs, which allow them to be distinguished from nymphs:The video from this case shows how many mites can live in a single follicle. Kosta Y. Mumcuoglu noted that there are at least 6 specimens ofD. folliculorumpresent, with at least two of them embedded in the follicle. By viewing the video on full screen mode, I think there may even be more - up to 8 based on the movement I see within the follicle. Wow!Thanks again to Theodore Trejo for donating this very nice case. I ' ll close with the fun poem from Old One:DEMODEXThis micromite is called DemodexIt can be found in many acarology textNot designed to move very far8 stubby legs and the shape of a cigarIt dwells in the follicles of old ones browAnd if you didn ’t know this by nowUsually nonpathogenic but occasionally is thoughtTo cause rosacea however this theory is fraughtwith controversy. We have only to thank Herr Dr. Jake HenieWho di...
Source: Creepy Dreadful Wonderful Parasites - Category: Parasitology Source Type: blogs