Prevalence of Demodex Species in Students and Employees of the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin

The study investigated the prevalence of Demodex mites in 217 healthy volunteers from the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Poland, comprising 114 students and 103 employees. The overall infestation rate was 21%, with personnel showing a higher prevalence (28%) compared to students (14%). The mean number of mites was 2.52, with personnel having more mites on average than students. Demodex folliculorum was more prevalent in eyelashes, while Demodex brevis was more common on the skin. Infestation rates increased with age, and mites were more frequently found in lower lid eyelashes. A weak correlation was noted between Demodex infestation and symptoms like blepharedema and conjunctivitis, but no significant link was found with microscope work.