Maleki Bahman, Haghshenas Nahid, Rezaei-Tavirani Mostafa, Ahmadzadeh Alireza, Abolghazi Ahmad, Robati Reza M
Skin Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Remote Sensing & GIS, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
Acta Trop. 2025 Aug;268:107693. doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107693. Epub 2025 Jun 11.
Demodex mites are common ectoparasites in humans that typically reside as commensals in sebaceous glands, but under certain host conditions, they may become opportunistic pathogens. Despite numerous localized studies on the prevalence of human Demodex mites, the global prevalence and associated risk factors remain unclear. This study aims to systematically assess the global prevalence of human Demodex mites and the effects of age, gender, facial sampling region, humidity, World Health Organization (WHO) regions and countries, and population factors on this prevalence. A systematic literature search, following PRISMA guidelines, was conducted in multiple databases from January 2000 to January 2025. Meta-analysis using a random-effects model estimated the global prevalence of Demodex mites and examined associations with demographic, geographic, and climatic factors. Meta-regression, sensitivity analysis, and Egger's test were conducted to assess publication bias and the robustness of the findings. The global pooled prevalence of human Demodex mites was approximately 35 % (based on available studies), with the highest prevalence observed in the South-East Asia Region (SEARO) at 44 %. The highest prevalence among age groups was found in older adults (>60 years), reaching 59 %, while the highest facial region-specific prevalence was observed in the eyelashes at 33 %. Among different population groups, ophthalmology patients showed the highest prevalence (57 %). Additionally, the prevalence was slightly higher in females compared to males. The analysis revealed significant heterogeneity and publication bias. The sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability of the prevalence estimate. Meta-regression identified significant differences in sample size but no associations with humidity or publication year. This meta-analysis highlights a global prevalence of human Demodex mites, especially among older adults and ophthalmology patients, emphasizing the need for clinical awareness and further studies.
蠕形螨是人类常见的体表寄生虫，通常作为共生菌寄居于皮脂腺中，但在某些宿主条件下，它们可能成为机会性病原体。尽管已有大量关于人类蠕形螨感染率的局部研究，但全球感染率及相关风险因素仍不明确。本研究旨在系统评估人类蠕形螨的全球感染率，以及年龄、性别、面部采样区域、湿度、世界卫生组织（WHO）区域和国家以及人口因素对该感染率的影响。按照PRISMA指南，于2000年1月至2025年1月在多个数据库中进行了系统的文献检索。使用随机效应模型进行荟萃分析，以估计蠕形螨的全球感染率，并检验其与人口统计学、地理和气候因素的关联。进行了荟萃回归、敏感性分析和Egger检验，以评估发表偏倚和研究结果的稳健性。人类蠕形螨的全球合并感染率约为35%（基于现有研究），其中东南亚区域（SEARO）的感染率最高，为44%。各年龄组中，老年人（>60岁）的感染率最高，达到59%，而面部特定区域中，睫毛的感染率最高，为33%。在不同人群中，眼科患者的感染率最高（57%）。此外，女性的感染率略高于男性。分析显示存在显著的异质性和发表偏倚。敏感性分析证实了感染率估计的稳定性。荟萃回归确定了样本量存在显著差异，但与湿度或发表年份无关。这项荟萃分析突出了人类蠕形螨的全球感染率，尤其是在老年人和眼科患者中，强调了临床认识和进一步研究的必要性。
