Evaluation of the relationship between androgenetic alopecia and demodex infestation.

Zari J, Abdolmajid F, Masood M, Vahid M, Yalda N.

Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, St., Ghoraishy Building, P.O. Box: 91375-345, Mashhad, Iran.

INTRODUCTION: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is one of the most common dermatologic disorders with a multifactorial etiology. Inflammatory activators such as Demodex infestation may play a role in the pathogenesis of some cases of androgenetic alopecia that do not respond to common treatments such as minoxidil and finasteride. The goal of this study is to evaluate the relationship between Demodex infestation and AGA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, 41 patients with AGA referred to the Dermatology Clinic of Imam Reza Hospital and 33 healthy individuals were evaluated as control. All of them were between 20 and 40 years old men. In order to identify Demodex infestation they were referred to the Parasitology laboratory. RESULTS: Demodex was detected in 19.5% of patients and 15.2% of controls; therefore, there was no significant relationship between them statistically (P = 0.0787). Most of patients (85.4%) had greasy hair. The most common pattern of baldness was II degree in Hamilton scale. CONCLUSION: There is no relation between AGA and Demodex.