Role of Adenosine Deaminase in Patients with Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea and Demodex folliculorum Positivity

BACKGROUND: Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is an aminohydrolase involved in the catabolism of purine nucleotides and irreversibly deaminizes adenosine and deoxyadenosine to inosine and deoxyinosine. ADA enzyme deficiency results in the loss of functional properties of B and T lymphocytes. Demodex species have been reported to be transmitted between humans through close contact and to play a role in the pathogenesis of rosacea, acne vulgaris, perioral dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, micropapillary-pruritic dermatitis and blepharitis. The present study aimed to compare serum ADA levels in D. folliculorum positive patients with the healthy control individuals. METHODS: Serum ADA levels were examined for 30 patients diagnosed with erythematotelangiectatic rosacea and 40 healthy individuals in Malatya Inonu University in 2017. Standardized skin surface biopsy (SSSB) method was used to diagnose D. folliculorum. A significant decrease was found in the ADA levels of Demodex-positive rosacea patients when compared to the control group. RESULTS: ADA levels were decreased in the Demodex-positive group. The mean ADA level in patient group was significantly lower than the mean in the control group (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between the patient and control groups in terms of age and gender. CONCLUSION: During and after treatment of Demodex-positive rosacea patients, determination of ADA levels may give more detailed information on the immune mechanisms.