DOI: 10.31594/commagene.1938976 ISSN: 2602-456X

Prevalence of Ocular Demodex spp. in Patients with Chronic Uveitis Under Immunosuppressive Treatment

Zarife Ekici Gök, Ayten Gündüz
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This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Demodex infestation in patients with chronic uveitis receiving immunosuppressive and/or anti-TNF therapy and to compare the findings with those of a healthy control group. This cross-sectional study included 93 participants (34 uveitis patients and 59 controls). Uveitis was classified according to the Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature criteria. Demodex was assessed by eyelash epilation followed by masked light microscopic examination and parasite presence and density were recorded. Group comparisons were performed using the chi-square or Fisher’s exact test, with statistical significance set at p0.05). The prevalence of Demodex was 11.8% in the uveitis group and 18.6% in the control group, with no significant difference (p=0.52). No association was found between Demodex positivity and the use of anti-TNF agents, methotrexate, azathioprine, or corticosteroids (all p>0.05). Parasite density in positive cases was low to moderate (mean 1.92 ± 1.16; median 2). The lower prevalence observed in the uveitis group may be related to the frequent use of topical corticosteroids, which could suppress local ocular surface inflammation and limit colonization. In conclusion, Demodex prevalence was not increased in patients receiving immunosuppressive or anti-TNF therapy. Further large-scale prospective studies are needed to clarify the relationship between immune modulation, the ocular surface microenvironment, and Demodex infestation.

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