Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilian-University Munich, Frauenlobstr. 9-11, 80337, Munich, Germany.
Exp Appl Acarol. 2020 Jan;80(1):59-70. doi: 10.1007/s10493-019-00450-9. Epub 2019 Dec 13.
Demodex spp. mites are the most complex organisms of the human skin microbiome and were discovered more than 175 years ago, yet only little basic research is published about them. As they can be pathophysiologically relevant ectoparasites associated with rosacea, pityriasis folliculorum, and other inflammatory skin diseases, more research should be encouraged. Being a large microorganism or a tiny animal, there are no established basic methods to handle these mites. Here, we describe techniques enabling the extraction of Demodex mites from human skin, their analysis in different ex-vivo settings, the lysis of their exoskeleton, their preservation by freezing, and observation microscopically using specific fluorescent dyes or their inherent autofluorescence. These procedures should facilitate future Demodex research and fuel further the generation of knowledge. Furthermore it is intended to ultimatively enable the mite's cultivation in vitro and reveal its pathophysiological mechanisms.
蠕形螨是人类皮肤微生物组中最复杂的生物，早在 175 年前就被发现，但目前仅有少量基础研究对其进行了报道。由于蠕形螨是与酒渣鼻、滤泡性秃发和其他炎症性皮肤病相关的具有生理病理学意义的外寄生虫，因此应鼓励开展更多的研究。由于蠕形螨是一种大型微生物或微小动物，目前尚无处理这些螨虫的既定基本方法。在这里，我们描述了从人体皮肤中提取蠕形螨的技术，以及在不同离体环境下对其进行分析、溶解其外骨骼、冷冻保存以及使用特定荧光染料或其固有自发荧光进行微观观察的方法。这些程序应该有助于未来的蠕形螨研究，并进一步推动知识的产生。此外，我们还旨在最终实现蠕形螨的体外培养，并揭示其生理病理学机制。
