[Which is the role of parasites and yeasts in the genesis of chronic blepharitis?].

INTRODUCTION

The chronic blepharitis is a current ophthalmic disease posing a therapeutic problem. The etiologic diagnosis is essential for adapting the treatment.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to describe the role of Demodex sp, Malassezia sp and Candida sp in the pathogenesis of chronic blepharitis.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

It's a prospective study realized during a period of 14 months. It interested 69 patients with chronic blepharitis and 96 controls. The prevalence of Demodex sp, Malassezia sp and Candida sp on the eyelash of chronic blepharitis patients and controls was investigated.

RESULTS

Demodex folliculorum was found in 58% of patients with chronic blepharitis and in 15,6% of controls. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0,00001). The sex and the age intervene neither in the frequency, nor in the abundance of D. folliculorum in the two groups. Malassezia sp was identified in 10,4% of the control group and 31,88% of the group with chronic blepharitis. The difference is significant (P<0,00001). There is no correlation between frequency and abundance of Malassezia, sex and age in the two groups.

CONCLUSION

In our study, D. folliculorum and Malassezia sp seem to be accused in the genesis of the chronic blepharitis. Their systematic search is necessary in order to adapt the treatment.