Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Dermatology and Venerology

Acne vulgaris is a disease of the pilosebaceous unit resulting from interplay of different factors as seborrhea, P. acnes colonization, hyperkeratinization of the follicular duct and inflammation. Demodex have been reported to cause blockage of follicles and tubules of sebaceous glands, reactive hyperkeratinization, and epithelial hyperplasia. In addition, they have also been demonstrated to act as mechanical vector for bacteria, cause host inflammatory response of chitin layer as foreign object, and create a humoral and cellular immune response thanks to their wastes. The aim of the study was to compare the presence of demodex folliculorum between acne patients and normal subjects in order to clarify a possible association between demodex and acne vulgaris. The present study included 30 patients with acne vulgaris and 10 controls selected from the dermatology outpatient clinic, Kasr El Ainy hospital, Cairo University. The patients were divided according to the clinical severity of acne into three groups; group (A): mild acne, group (B): moderate acne and group (C): severe acne. Skin biopsies were taken from both patients and controls for pathological examination to detect pathological severity of acne lesions and possible detection of demodex intra or extra follicular as well as PCR examination for demodex folliculorum detection

Issued also as CD