ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the Demodex infection status and influencing factors in medical students in Wuhu City. Methods The mite specimens were collected by the cellophane tape method,and the influencing factors were investigated through the questionnaires. Results A total of 316 medical students were surveyed,117 students were infected with Demodex mite,and the total infection rate was 37.03%. There was no significant difference between the male and female in the infection rate( χ2 = 0.00,P > 0.05). Of the 117 infected cases,the infection rate of simple Demodex folliculorum was 51.28%,the infec-tion rate of simple Demodex brevis was 24.79%,and the rate of mixed infections was 23.93%. The rate of the mild infection (83.76%)was significantly higher than that of the moderate infection(12.82 %)and that of the severe infection(3.42%). The infection rate in the forehead was the highest(29.41%). Among the students with the oily skin,the infection rate of Demodex mite was related to sex. The infection rate of simple Demodex brevis in the male(3.70%)was lower than that in the female (16.42%)( χ2 = 6.92,P < 0.05),while the rate of the mixed infections in the male(17.28%)was higher than that in the fe-male(4.48%)( χ2 = 5.91,P < 0.05). The infection rate of facial skin with symptoms(51.80%)was higher than that of normal facial skin(33.05%)( χ2 = 9.14,P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the infection rate of Demodex mite and the living habits and other factors. Conclusions There is some infection of Demodex in the medical students. The infection rate of facial skin with symptoms is higher than that of the normal facial skin. So we should strengthen the prevention and treat-ment of Demodex infection in medical students.