CHINESE JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY AND PARASITIC DISEASES >

2026 , Vol. 44 >Issue 1: 137 - 140

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12140/j.issn.1000-7423.2026.01.020

SHORT COMMUNICATIONS

Impact of Demodex infestation on the physiological functions of human facial skin

  • LIU Siwen ,
  • ZHANG Dacun ,
  • LI Zhiqiang ,
  • LIU Chunsheng ,
  • CHEN Si ,
  • TIAN Ruyu ,
  • HUANG Zeyu ,
  • SONG Ziyue ,
  • QIN Lei ,
  • ZHANG Ruzhi ,
  • LIU Xiaolv ,
  • GU Shengli ,
  • ZHAN Xiaodong
Expand
  • 1 Department of Medical Parasitology, Wannan Medical University, Wuhu 241000, Anhui, China
    2 Shandong Jiuxin Bioengineering Co., Ltd, Tai’an 271000, Shandong, China
    3 Department of Dermatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical University, Wuhu 241000, Anhui, China
    4 Wuhu Mite Inspection and Control Engineering Technology Research Center, Wuhu 241000, Anhui, China
    5 Anhui International Travel Health Care Center (Hefei Customs Port Outpatient Department), Hefei 230000, Anhui, China

Received date: 2025-07-08

  Revised date: 2025-10-21

  Online published: 2026-02-14

Supported by

Enterprise-commissioned Research and Development Project(H202313)

Fold

Abstract

To investigate the impact of Demodex mite infestation on the physiological functions of human facial skin, 240 university students were screened for Demodex infections using the transparent adhesive tape method. Base on the inclusion criteria, 32 students were tested positive for Demodex. Skin physiological function tests (skin erythema, melanin content, moisture, sebum, pore size, elasticity, and gloss) and skin image analysis were conducted among subjects positive for Demodex prior to treatment. Following testing, patients were given oral metronidazole tablets at a single dose of 0.4 g, three times daily, for successive 7 days. Facial skin was tested for presence of mites with transparent adhesive tapes 2 weeks post-treatment. Then, non-affected areas in the left-side mite-free face were randomly sampled for skin physiological function tests and skin image analysis, and the skin physiological and imaging parameters on face were compared between pre- and post-treatment. The facial skin erythema value, sebum secretion, proportion of skin pores, and gloss were 16.42 ± 16.48, (18.59 ± 3.58) µg/cm², (4.13 ± 0.31)%, and (3.59 ± 0.22) GU, respectively among patients tested positive for Demodex post-treatment, which were significantly lower than those [20.99 ± 17.79, (22.95 ± 4.42) µg/cm², (4.61 ± 0.33)%, (4.07 ± 0.23) GU] pre-treatment (t = 2.26, 3.86, 3.24, 2.29; all P < 0.05). The skin water content higher post-treatment than pre-treatment [(51.06 ± 11.41) a.u. vs. (39.18 ± 9.30) a.u.; t = -5.31, P < 0.01], and the melanin content (151.74 ± 6.80 vs. 155.56 ± 6.50; t = 1.14, P > 0.05) and gross elasticity (R2) (63.04 ± 0.98 vs. 64.77 ± 1.51; t = 1.09, P > 0.05) were numerically lower post-treatment than pre-treatment. Skin image analysis revealed that, on near-infrared images, patients positive for Demodex exhibited facial erythema and extensive capillary dilation prior to treatment, and reduced erythematous areas and remarkable alleviation of capillary dilation and inflammatory acne post-treatment. On red channel images, extensive deep red areas were found on facial skin among patients positive for Demodex prior to treatment, and diminished deep red zones and partially turned pink were observed post-treatment, with markedly reduced deep inflammatory areas. These findings suggest that Demodex infestation may affect skin physiological functions, and lead to imbalance of water and sebum secretion in skin, thereby impairing the skin barrier function, and promoting capillary dilation, and increasing hemoglobin levels.

Key words： Demodex; Facial skin; Skin physiological parameter; Skin image analysis

Cite this article

LIU Siwen , ZHANG Dacun , LI Zhiqiang , LIU Chunsheng , CHEN Si , TIAN Ruyu , HUANG Zeyu , SONG Ziyue , QIN Lei , ZHANG Ruzhi , LIU Xiaolv , GU Shengli , ZHAN Xiaodong . Impact of Demodex infestation on the physiological functions of human facial skin[J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY AND PARASITIC DISEASES, 2026 , 44(1) : 137 -140 . DOI: 10.12140/j.issn.1000-7423.2026.01.020

References

[1] 赵亚娥. 我国人体蠕形螨及蠕形螨病研究进展[J]. 热带病与寄生虫学, 2022, 20(3): 158-164.
  Zhao YE. Research progress on human Demodex mites and demodicidosis in China[J]. Trop Med Parasitol, 2022, 20(03): 158-164.
[2] Nutting WB. Hair follicle mites (Acari : Demodicidae) of man[J]. Int J Dermatol, 1976, 15(2): 79-98.
[3] Nutting WB, Green AC. Pathogenesis associated with hair follicle mites (Demodex spp.) in Australian Aborigines[J]. Br J Dermatol, 1976, 94(3): 307-312.
[4] Norn MS. Demodex folliculorum. Incidence, regional distribution, pathogenicity[J]. Dan Med Bull, 1971, 18(1): 14-17.
[5] Aylesworth R, Vance JC. Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis in cutaneous biopsies[J]. J Am Acad Dermatol, 1982, 7(5): 583-589.
[6] Desch C, Nutting WB. Demodex folliculorum (Simon) and D. brevis akbulatova of man: redescription and reevaluation[J]. J Parasitol, 1972, 58(1): 169-177.
[7] Zhao YE, Hu L, Ma JX. Molecular identification of four phenotypes of human Demodex mites (Acari : Demodicidae) based on mitochondrial 16S rDNA[J]. Parasitol Res, 2013, 112(11): 3703-3711.
[8] Rawlings AV, Harding CR. Moisturization and skin barrier function[J]. Dermatol Ther, 2004, 17(Suppl 1): 43-48.
[9] Voegeli R, Gierschendorf J, Summers B, et al. Facial skin mapping: from single point bio-instrumental evaluation to continuous visualization of skin hydration, barrier function, skin surface pH, and sebum in different ethnic skin types[J]. Int J Cosmet Sci, 2019, 41(5): 411-424.
[10] Samadi A, Yazdanparast T, Shamsipour M, et al. Stratum corneum hydration in healthy adult humans according to the skin area, age and sex: a systematic review and meta-analysis[J]. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol, 2022, 36(10): 1713-1721.
[11] Turan N, Kap?c?o?lu Y, Sara? G. The effect of skin sebum, pH, and moisture on Demodex infestation in acne vulgaris and rosacea patients[J]. Turkiye Parazitol Derg, 2017, 41(3): 143-147.
[12] 赵亚娥. 人蠕形螨病: 一种新现的螨源性皮肤病[J]. 中国寄生虫学与寄生虫病杂志, 2016, 34(5): 456-462, 472.
  Zhao YE. Human demodicosis: Emerging dermatosis caused by Demodex[J]. Chin J Parasitol Parasit Dis, 2016, 34(5): 456-462, 472. (in Chinese)
[13] Parodi A, Drago F, Paolino S, et al. Treatment of rosacea[J]. Ann Dermatol Venereol, 2011, 138(Suppl 3): S211-S214.
[14] Bonté F. Skin moisturization mechanisms: new data[J]. Ann Pharm Fr, 2011, 69(3): 135-141.
[15] Corazza M la Malfa W, Lombardi A, et al. Role of allergic contact dermatitis in rosacea[J]. Contact Dermatitis, 1997, 37(1): 40-41.
[16] Jappe U, Schnuch A, Uter W. Rosacea and contact allergy to cosmetics and topical medicaments: retrospective analysis of multicentre surveillance data 1995-2002[J]. Contact Dermatitis, 2005, 52(2): 96-101.
[17] Luo XH, Li J, Chen C, et al. Ocular demodicosis as a potential cause of ocular surface inflammation[J]. Cornea, 2017, 36(Suppl 1): S9-S14.
[18] Liang LY, Liu Y, Ding XH, et al. Significant correlation between meibomian gland dysfunction and keratitis in young patients with Demodex brevis infestation[J]. Br J Ophthalmol, 2018, 102(8): 1098-1102.
[19] Zhang JM, An JX. Cytokines, inflammation, and pain[J]. Int Anesthesiol Clin, 2007, 45(2): 27-37.
[20] Fernández TD, Canto G, Blanca M. Molecular mechanisms of maculopapular exanthema[J]. Curr Opin Infect Dis, 2009, 22(3): 272-278.
[21] Nestle FO, di Meglio P, Qin JZ, et al. Skin immune sentinels in health and disease[J]. Nat Rev Immunol, 2009, 9(10): 679-691.
[22] Kabashima K, Honda T, Ginhoux F, et al. The immunological anatomy of the skin[J]. Nat Rev Immunol, 2019, 19(1): 19-30.
[23] Zucchi E, Cavallieri F, Giovannini G, et al. Post-infectious sensory neuropathy with anti-GT1a and GQ1b antibodies associated with cold urticaria[J]. J Clin Neurosci, 2018, 56: 175-177.
[24] Lacey N, Russell-Hallinan A, Zouboulis CC, et al. Demodex mites modulate sebocyte immune reaction: possible role in the pathogenesis of rosacea[J]. Br J Dermatol, 2018, 179(2): 420-430.
[25] Georgala S, Katoulis AC, Kylafis GD, et al. Increased density of Demodex folliculorum and evidence of delayed hypersensitivity reaction in subjects with papulopustular rosacea[J]. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol, 2001, 15(5): 441-444.
[26] Kim MA, Kim EJ, Lee HK. Use of SkinFibrometer? to measure skin elasticity and its correlation with Cutometer? and DUB? Skinscanner[J]. Skin Res Technol, 2018, 24(3): 466-471.
[27] Jung G, Lee MY, Kim S, et al. Analysis of relation between skin elasticity and the entropy of skin image using near-infrared and visible light sources[J]. J Biophotonics, 2020, 13(1): e201900213.
[28] Ryu HS, Joo YH, Kim SO, et al. Influence of age and regional differences on skin elasticity as measured by the Cutometer[J]. Skin Res Technol, 2008, 14(3): 354-358.
[29] Krueger N, Luebberding S, Oltmer M, et al. Age-related changes in skin mechanical properties: a quantitative evaluation of 120 female subjects[J]. Skin Res Technol, 2011, 17(2): 141-148.
[30] Zouboulis CC, Picardo M, Ju Q, et al. Beyond acne: Current aspects of sebaceous gland biology and function[J]. Rev Endocr Metab Disord, 2016, 17(3): 319-334.
[31] Schneider MR, Schmidt-Ullrich R, Paus R. The hair follicle as a dynamic miniorgan[J]. Curr Biol, 2009, 19(3): R132-R142.
[32] Smalls LK, Randall Wickett R, Visscher MO. Effect of dermal thickness, tissue composition, and body site on skin biomechanical properties[J]. Skin Res Technol, 2006, 12(1): 43-49.
Options
Outlines

/

〈 〉