Demodex folliculorum mite infestation in gynecological cancers: A case control study

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of Demodex (D.) folliculorum infestation in patients with gynecological cancer. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2015 and May 2015. Eighty-seven patients with gynecologic cancer and ninety control subjects were included and the patients characterics were recorded. Demodex was detected by standardized skin surface biopsy for skin lesions. Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of age, diabetes mellitus, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, and the use of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. D. folliculorum infestation was increased in the patient group (47.1%) when compared to the control group (8.9%) (p < 0.001). The frequency of D. folliculorum was higher in the cancer groups and particularly in ovarian cancer (58.7%). Conclusions: Patients with gynecological cancers are at risk for D. folliculorum mite infestation and this is explained by the immunosuppressed condition of the patients due to the cancer.