Demodex folliculorum
| Demodex folliculorum | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Trombidiformes |
| Family: | Demodicidae |
| Genus: | Demodex |
| Species: | D. folliculorum |
| Binomial name | |
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Demodex folliculorum Simon, 1842 |
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Demodex folliculorum is a species of face mite. D. folliculorum is one of the parasitic/commensal face mites that occur on people (the other one is Demodex brevis). When large numbers of D. folliculorum are found on humans, the infestation is known as demodicosis.
Demodex canis was first discovered in 1840 to cause mange in dogs. Tulk was the first to publish about Demodex in dogs. In 1842, a Frenchman named Berger discovered Demodex folliculorum in earwax.
These mites are found in human hair follicles, normally found in greater numbers around the cheeks, nose, eyebrows, eyelashes, and forehead. They could also be found in other parts of the body such as arms, chest, and ears. It is a species of tiny mites that have been thought to contribute to hair loss (though this hypothesis is under debate) and lives in pores and hair follicles. The mites vary in size from 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm long. Mites do not invade internal organs. Under normal conditions, they are not harmful, and classified as commensals (the mite benefits but there is no harm or benefit to the host) rather than parasites (where the host is harmed), though under outbreak conditions (demodicosis) they can be harmful.
D. folliculorum is a semi-transparent, elongated organism consisting of a head, neck, body, and tail.D. folliculorum is worm-like, with tiny claws, and scales over their entire body which allows it to anchor itself in the hair follicles. As an adult, D. folliculorum can measure 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm in length and possess four pairs of short legs near its head and neck region. However, as a larva and/or nymph, D. folliculorum resembles the adult but has three pairs of short legs near its head and neck region. The body and tail region of D. folliculorum is striated.
Both Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis are typically found on the human face.Demodex folliculorum resides in hair follicles, whereas Demodex brevis survives in sebaceous glands adjacent to hair follicles. For instance, around the eye area, Demodex folliculorum is found in the follicles of the eyelashes. In contrast, Demodex brevis inhabits the sebaceous gland of the eyelashes and the meibomian glands. Demodex brevis was first separated from Demodex folliculorum in 1963 by Akbulatova.
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Wikipedia