Intense Pulsed Light Therapy for Patients with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Ocular Demodex Infestation.

To observe the clinical changes of meibomian gland dysfunctipn (MGD) and ocular Demodex infestation after intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment to further examine the mechanism of IPL treating patients with MGD and ocular Demodex infestation. The medical records of 25 patients (49 eyes) with MGD treated with IPL, were retrospectively examined to determine outcomes. Associated ocular-surface parameters (ocular surface disease index, OSDI; lipid layer thickness, LLT; noninvasive first breakup time, NIF-BUT; noninvasive average breakup time, NIAvg-BUT; tear film breakup area, TBUA; Schirmer I Test, SIT; corneal fluorescein staining, CFS), eyelid margin abnormalities, meibum quality and expressibility, MG morphological parameters (macrostructure and microstructure), and the number of Demodex infestation were examined before and after treatment. The MG microstructure and the Demodex infestation were examined via in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM). The results showed that there were statistically significant differences in associated ocular-surface parameters (all P<0.05) before and after IPL treatment, except SIT (P=0.065). Eyelid margin abnormalities, meibum quality and expressibility obviously improved in upper and lower eyelid after IPL treatment (all P<0.0001). MG macrostructure (MG dropouts) decreased in upper (P=0.002) and lower eyelid (P=0.001) after IPL treatment. The nine parameters of MG microstructure in upper and lower eyelid all distinctly improved after IPL treatment (all P<0.0001). The mean number of Demodex mites on the upper lid margin (6.59±7.16 to 3.12±3.81/9 eyelashes) and lower lid margin (2.55±2.11 to 1.29±1.53/9 eyelashes) significantly reduced after IPL treatment (all P<0.0001). The Demodex eradication rate was 20% (8/40) in upper lid margin and 34.15% (14/41) in lower lid margin. These findings indicate that IPL shows great therapeutic potential for patients of MGD and ocular Demodex infestation.

Composition and diversity of acaroids mites (Acari: Astigmata) community in the stored rhizomatic traditional Chinese medicinal materials / La composición y la diversidad de ácaros (Acari: Astigmata) en productos de la medicina tradicional china

Objective: To investigate the species and breeding density of ac aroid mites in the stored rhizomatic traditional Chinese medicinal materials in Anhui province, China, in order to supply evidences for control and prevention of such species. Methods: The stored traditional Chinese medicinal materials of root-stock origins were collected in 30 herb stores and warehouses in 17 cities across Anhui province. Mites were collected by using Tullgren funnel and directicopy, and identified under microscopy. Results: Twenty-two species of acaroid mites, belonging to 15 genera under 5 families, were identified from the total 47 stored samples, in which Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Acarus farinae, Carpoglyphus lactis, and Cologlyplus berlesei were predominant. Conclusion: Breeding density of acaroid mites was high in the stored rhizomatic traditional Chinese medicinal materials in Anhui province. This indicates that the traditional Chinese medicinal herbs of root-stock origins in storage are seriously contaminated by the acaroid mites, and such infestation should be positively controlled to reduce the potential harm to public health (AU)

Objetivo: investigar las especies y densidad de especies de ácaros en los productos a bases de raíces de la medicina tradicional china en la provincia de Anhui, China, con el fin de proporcionar evidencias para el control y la prevención de tal infestación. Métodos: se recogieron muestras de productos procedentes de raíces usados en la medicina tradicional china en 30 tiendas y almacenes de 17 ciudades de la provincia china de Anhui. Se recogieron las muestras mediante el embudo de Tullgren y la directicopia y los ácaros fueron identificados bajo microscopia. Resultados: se identifi caron 22 especies de ácaros, pertenecientes a 15 géneros menores de 5 familias a partir de 47 muestras almacenadas, en las que Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Acarus farinae, Carpoglyphus lactis y Cologlyplus berlesei eran predominantes. Conclusión: la densidad de ácaros fue alta en el las muestras a base de raíces en el material almacenado para usarse como remedio en la medicina tradicional china en la provincia de Anhui. El control de esta infestación puede reducir el daño potencial para la salud pública (AU)

Study of acaroid mites pollution in stored fruit-derived Chinese medicinal materials / Estudio de la contaminación por ácaros en productos medicinales chinos almacenados derivados de la fruta

Objective: to investigate the species and breeding density of acaroid mites in stored fruit-derived Chinese medicinal materials in Anhui province. Methods: samples of stored fruit-derived Chinese medicinal materials were collected from 30 herb stores and storehouses in 17 Anhui cities, where the breeding acaroids mites were detected. Results: 20 species of acaroids mites were found in 33 samples, belonging to 15 genus, 5 families of the acaridae respectively, among which T. putrescentiae, A. farinae, C. lactis, and C. berlesei are predominant species. Conclusion: stored fruit-derived Chinese medicinal materials in Anhui areas suffer from serious acaroid mites pollution. Therefore, proactive measures should be taken to control acaroid mites from breeding in an effort to reduce the harm on medicinal materials (AU)

Objetivo: investigar las especies y la densidad de reproducción de ácaros en productos medicinales chinos almacenados derivados de la fruta en la provincia de Anhui. Métodos: muestras de productos medicinales chinos almacenados derivados de la fruta fueron recogidos a partir de 30 herbolarios y almacenes en 17 ciudades de Anhui, donde se detectó la reproducción de ácaros. Resultados: se detectaron 20 especies de ácaros en 33 muestras, pertenecientes a 15 géneros, 5 familias de ácaros respectivamente, entre los cuales T. putrescentiae, A. farinae, C. lactis y C. berlesei son las especies predominantes. Conclusión: los productos medicinales chinos almacenados derivados de la fruta en la zona de Anhui sufren una grave contaminación por ácaros. Por lo tanto, se deben tomar medidas dinámicas para controlar la reproducción de ácaros en un esfuerzo por reducir los daños en los productos medicinales (AU)

Ocular demodicosis.

We present a case of blepharitis with symptoms lasting two years in duration and refractory to a host of prior medical treatments, including antibiotics, corticosteroids, cyclosporine, and baby shampoo. We recognized the clinical presentation as pathogomonic for demodicosis caused by the parasitic mite, demodex folliculorum, confirmed with light microscopy, and treated appropriately with tea tree oil and hygiene measures--achieving full resolution of symptoms. We highlight the presentation, treatment, and underscore demodicosis as an important, under recognized cause of blepharitis.

Seasonal population of Acarus siro mites and effects of their faeces on allergenic immunological disorder modulated by garlic in albino rat

Background: Mites are the main factor involved in respiratory disorder. Acarus siro is the most allergenic species of mite detected in the samples collected from flour mills. Objective: This work aimed to ameliorate the A. siro faeces allergenic disorder by garlic extract. Methods: Albino experimental rats were classified into three groups (native, inhaled and treated). Mites extract, ELISA and leukocytes differential counts techniques were used. Results: The data obtained showed that the highest densities of A. siro in the samples collected from flour mills in El-Minia governorate during the period of February 2009 to January 2010 were recorded during the spring and autumn seasons. In addition, significantly higher serum levels of INF-epsilon and IgE were found in rats treated with faeces than the other groups, especially the garlic-treated group. In contrast, IL-4 was lower in faeces-treated rats than the others; however, the native group had the highest level of IL-4. The leukocytes differential count showed that eosinophil and basophil percentages in faeces-inhaled group are higher than both the native group and the garlic-treated group. Statistical analysis of data showed significant difference between garlic-treated group and either control or faeces-treated group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The population of A. siro mites peaked in spring and autumn. The immunological disorder caused by repeated exposure to A. siro faeces might be modulated by garlic(AU)

Ocular demodicosis as a potential cause of pediatric blepharoconjunctivitis.

PURPOSE: To report Demodex infestation in pediatric blepharoconjunctivitis. METHODS: A retrospective review of 12 patients, with ages from 2.5-11 years, with chronic blepharoconjunctivitis who failed to respond to conventional treatments. Demodex was detected by lash sampling and microscopic examination. Patients were treated with 50% tea tree oil (TTO) eyelid scrubs or 5% TTO ointment eyelid massages for 4-6 weeks. RESULTS: Demodex mites were found in all, but 1 case had cylindrical dandruff in the lashes. After 1 week of TTO treatment, all patients showed dramatic resolution of ocular irritation and inflammation while Demodex counts dropped. All corneal signs resolved within 2 weeks except for a residual anterior stromal scar in 1 eye. During a follow-up period of 8.3 ± 4.6 months, 1 patient showed recurrent inflammation, which was successfully managed by a second round of TTO treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Demodicosis should be considered as a potential cause of pediatric refractory blepharoconjunctivitis. Eyelid scrubs or massage with TTO could be an effective treatment regimen in these cases.

Population dynamics of phytophagous and predaceous mites on coffee in Brazil, with emphasis on Brevipalpus phoenicis (Acari: Tenuipalpidae).

The objective of this work was to study the population dynamics of Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes) and predaceous mites (Phytoseiidae and Stigmaeidae), as well as the interactions among these mite species, in a coffee plantation in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Tydeids were also evaluated because of the high frequency of these mites on coffee plants. Samples of leaves, branches and fruits were taken fortnightly, from April 2001 to June 2003, from plants randomly chosen in the coffee plantation. B. phoenicis mites were found on leaves in higher number during the drier periods of the year. Among the predaceous mites, Euseius citrifolius Denmark & Muma and Euseius concordis (Chant) were the most frequent species on the surface of leaves. During the evaluations, 72,534 domatia were cut and opened to remove the mites, from 6,360 leaves examined. Zetzellia malvinae Matioli, Ueckermann & Oliveira was the most frequent predator species found inside domatia. Significant correlations were observed between population dynamics of, among others, E. concordis and B. phoenicis, Z. malvinae and B. phoenicis, and Z. malvinae and E. concordis. Significant correlations were also verified between the number of domatia and the population densities of B. phoenicis, E. concordis, Lorryia sp. and Z. malvinae. Interactions between predator-prey and predator-predator on coffee plants are discussed. The influence of the meteorological factors temperature and precipitation on the most frequent mite species is also discussed.

Corneal manifestations of ocular demodex infestation.

PURPOSE: To report the corneal manifestations in eyes with Demodex infestation of the eyelids. DESIGN: Noncomparative, interventional case series. METHODS: This retrospective review included six patients with Demodex blepharitis who also exhibited corneal abnormalities, which led to suspicion of limbal stem cell deficiency in three cases. All patients received weekly lid scrubs with 50% tea tree oil and a daily lid scrubs with tea tree shampoo for a minimum of six weeks. Improvement of symptoms and corneal and conjunctival signs were evaluated. RESULTS: All six patients exhibited ocular irritation and conjunctival inflammation, while meibomian gland dysfunction (n = 5), rosacea (n = 4), and decreased vision (n = 3) also were noted despite prior treatments with oral tetracycline, topical steroids with antibiotics, and lid scrub with baby shampoo. These patients were proven to have Demodex folliculorum (n = 6) and Demodex brevis (n = 3) by microscopic examination of epilated lashes. Their corneal manifestation included superficial corneal vascularization (six eyes of five cases), marginal corneal infiltration (two eyes of two cases), phlyctenule-like lesion (one eye of one case), superficial corneal opacity (two eyes of two cases), and nodular corneal scar (two eyes of two cases). After treatment, the Demodex count was reduced from 6.8 +/- 2.8 to 1 +/- 0.9 (standard deviation; P = .001). All patients showed dramatic resolution of ocular irritation, conjunctival inflammation, and all inflammatory, but not scarred, corneal signs; three patients showed improved vision. CONCLUSIONS: A variety of corneal pathologic features together with conjunctival inflammation, commonly noted in rosacea, can be found in patients with Demodex infestation of the eyelids. When conventional treatments for rosacea fail, one may consider lid scrub with tea tree oil to eradicate mites as a new treatment.

Perfil de sensibilización a neumoalergenos en niños con asma y rinoconjuntivitis en una zona de salud de Asturias / Profile of sensitization to pneumoallergens in children with asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis in a health care area of Asturias

Objetivos: Describir el perfil de sensibilización a neumoalergenos en niños con asma y/o rinoconjuntivitis alérgica. Material y métodos: Estudio de prevalencia de base poblacional. Se incluyeron todos los niños de 4 a 13 con algún registro en su historia clínica en los últimos cuatro años de una Zona de Salud de Asturias. Para cada niño se investigó: presencia de diagnóstico de asma, de rinoconjuntivitis alérgica, tipo de estudio alérgico realizado y resultado del mismo. Punto de corte: 1 de enero del 2003.Resultados: La población de estudio fue de 452 niños (53 por ciento varones). El 19,02 por ciento presentaban asma alérgica y/o rinoconjuntivitis. Dos de cada tres eran varones. El 17,69 por ciento cumplió criterios de asma (un 11,28 por ciento alérgica y un 5,3 por ciento no alérgica). El 15,48 por ciento tenía rinoconjuntivitis. De entre los alérgicos el 40,7 por ciento presentaban asma y rinoconjuntivitis, el 40,7 por ciento sólo rinoconjuntivitis y el 18,6 por ciento sólo asma. El alergeno más prevalente fue el ácaro (88,7 por ciento), seguido de gramíneas (50 por ciento), perro (16,25 por ciento), Alternaria (12,5 por ciento), gato (10 por ciento) y cucarachas (10 por ciento). Los niños con rinoconjuntivitis (sola o asociada a asma) tenían más sensibilización a gramíneas y más polisensibilizaciones que los que sólo tenían asma. La sensibilización a ácaros fue alta ya desde los 4 años de vida y la de gramíneas ascendente desde los 5-6 años. Conclusiones: 1) La mayor parte de los niños con asma alérgica presentan a la vez rinoconjuntivitis. 2) Dos de cada tres alérgicos son varones. 3) El ácaro es el alergeno más prevalente en todos los grupos de edad. 4) Las gramíneas siguen un patrón ascendente según la edad (AU)

Coffee ringspot virus vectored by Brevipalpus phoenicis (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) in coffee.

Coffee ringspot is characterized by conspicuous ringspot symptoms on leaves, berries, and less frequently on twigs. It is caused by coffee ringspot virus (CoRSV), a short, bacilliform virus (40 nm x 100-110 nm). The virus is not seed borne and is transmitted by Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes). Transovarial transmission within the mite does not occur. CoRSV has been mechanically transmitted to Chenopodium amaranticolor Coste and Reynaud, C. quinoa Wildenow, Beta vulgaris L., and Alternanthera tenella Colla resulting in local lesions. Systemic infection within both C. amaranticolor and C. quinoa occurs. Virions are found in the nucleus or cytoplasm of infected cells, commonly associated with membranes. Occasionally, membrane bounded particles are found within the cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum. A characteristic electron lucent, nuclear inclusion is commonly found in many infected cells. These cytopathic effects place CoRSV among the nuclear type of Brevipalpus-borne viruses. The disease has been reported in several Brazilian states (São Paulo, Paraná, Minas Gerais, and Federal District) and recently found in Costa Rica. A similar disease is known in the Philippines, but no information exists about its relationship to CoRSV. Coffee ringspot had no economical significance until recently when a large scale infection was reported in Minas Gerais that resulted in yield loss.