In Vitro Lethal Effects of Benzyl Benzoate Concentrations of 25%, 10%, and 5% on Demodex folliculorum Mites: An Experimental Study With a Control Group

Background

Demodex mites have been implicated in the pathogenesis of many dermatologic diseases, especially rosacea. Although many case reports have been published about the treatment of skin diseases caused by Demodex folliculorum mite, no relevant treatment algorithm has been developed so far. In this context, we investigated the lethal effects of different doses of benzyl benzoate on this mite.

Objective

To compare the lethal effects of 3 different doses of benzyl benzoate on Demodex folliculorum mites with those of a control group consisting of immersion oil.

Materials and Methods

Waste samples collected from rosacea patients were included in the study. Four different groups of 20 mites were formed. Each group was exposed to 5%, 10%, and 25% concentrations of benzyl benzoate, respectively. Immersion oil was used as a negative control group. The movements of the mites were monitored with a digital microscope. The time to death of the mites was recorded.

Results

The mean time to death of mites was 26 ± 2,9, 120 ± 7.6, and 168 ± 15 min after application of benzyl benzoate at concentrations of 25%, 10%, and 5%, respectively. The mean time to death of mites in immersion oil applied as a negative control group was 192 ± 6.4 min. Among the study groups, only the 25% benzyl benzoate group had a statistically significantly shorter mean time to death compared to the control group (p = 0.03).

Conclusion

While low concentrations of benzyl benzoate were ineffective in the treatment of demodicosis, benzyl benzoate at high concentrations, e.g., 25%, was found to be effective in its treatment.