Demodex Mite Infections in Ophthalmic Patients on Indonesian Islands: The ICS Humanitarian Aid Report

Objective: Demodex is the most common external human parasite. It has been suggested that the Demodex infection may be associated with malnutrition, nutritional deficiencies, reduced immunity, and poor hygiene. The patients who benefitted from humanitarian aid in Indonesia, often demonstrated the abovementioned risk factors. The aim of the present report was to assess the prevalence of Demodex infestation in ophthalmic patients in Indonesian. Patients and methods: A total of 217 individuals (132 women) with ocular discomfort, who presented to the ophthalmologist in mission points in Indonesia (Bali, Java, and Papua, the province of Indonesia in the New Guinea Island) were checked for the presence of Demodex on their eyelashes and underwent an anthropometric examination. Results: The prevalence of ocular demodicosis varies from 71.2% in Bali to 89.2% in Papua. There were no statistically significant differences between the islands, urban or rural areas, or between sexes. A statistically significant difference was found between nutritional status and Demodex infestation (P = 0.0007). Malnourished and overweight patients had odds of being infested with Demodex that were approximately 8 and 3 times higher, respectively, compared with subjects with a normal body mass index. Conclusions: Ocular demodicosis is very common in medically underserved areas of Bali, Java, and Papua, where it exceeds the frequency observed in countries of the northern hemisphere. An abnormal nutritional status comprising of both malnutrition and being overweight appears to be a risk factor for Demodex infection. This issue requires further research.