Demodex folliculorum

Introduction

Demodex folliculorum are commensal mites that live in human hair follicles. D. folliculorum and D. Brevis are the only species in the Demodex genus that are found on humans, and are both referred to as “eyelash mites”. While D. brevis inhabit the sebaceous glands of hair follicles, D. folliculorum inhabits hair follicles themselves, particularly of eyelashes and eyebrows. Infants will acquire D. folliculorum shortly after birth from contact with other human hosts, however the lack of sebum production in young children prevents D. folliculorum from colonizing efficiently. As humans reach adulthood and continue to age, the infestation of D. folliculorum increases. The elderly and those suffering from immunodeficiency are particularly vulnerable to severe infestation and health risks posed by D. folliculorum including blepharitis. .

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Section 1 Genetics

The morphology of D. folliculorum shares many similarities to that of D. brevis. Adult D.folliculorum range from 0.3-0.4 mm in length and are composed of two fused body segments. Both segments are covered in scales and assist in anchoring to the hair follicle. The anterior segment has eight short legs attached that allow movement of 8-16 mm/h. Also on the anterior segment is the pin-like mouth that is specialized for eating sebum, skin cells, and hormones. The posterior segment contains a genital opening in both sexes. Rounder and shorter female mites mate with males on the opening of the hair follicle and undergo internal fertilization. Females lay their eggs inside the hair follicle, which hatch into six-legged larvae after 3-4 days and reach adulthood in 7 days. The full lifespan of D. folliculorum stretches over several weeks. The D. folliculorum mitochondrial genome is 14,150 base pairs long and on average 71% is made up of AT-pairs. The genome includes thirteen protein-encoding genes, two rRNA genes, and twenty-two tRNA genes. Its Genbank accession number is KM114226.

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Edited by Scarlett Jones, student of Joan Slonczewski for BIOL 116 Information in Living Systems, 2019, Kenyon College.