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[[Image:Demodex canis.jpg|right|thumb|150px|''Demodex canis'' - Wikimedia Commons]]

[[Image:Demodex canis.jpg|right|thumb|150px|''Demodex canis'' - Wikimedia Commons]]

''Demodex spp.'' are found on all domestic mammals as well as in humans and are usually a commensal organism. Each host has a specific species of the ''Demodex'' mite. A clinical infection of ''Demodex spp.'' is termed demodicosis.

''Demodex spp.'' are found on all domestic mammals as well as in humans and are usually a commensal organism. It is a burrowing mite as opposed to the surface mite meaning that it penetrates into the hosts tissue. Each host has a specific species of the ''Demodex'' mite. A clinical infection of ''Demodex spp.'' is termed demodicosis.

===Identification===

===Identification===

The Demodex species have a distinctive cigar shaped appearance

The Demodex species have a distinctive cigar shaped appearance under microscopic examination. They have four pairs of stumpy legs on the anterior portion of the body. This distinctive long and narrow appearance allows them to burrow into and remain inside hair follicles.

*Long and narrow to fit into hair follicles

Demodex species complete their entire life cycle within the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of a single host. Transmission between hosts occurs by close contact usually these will be commensals of the host from a young age due to maternal transfer to the neonate. Their life cycle takes 3 weeks to complete.

 

===Important Species===

==Life cycle==

*Demodex canis

*Live as commensal organisms

::This is by far the most commonly seen species of Demodex causing clinical problems. Its host species is the dog and demodicosis is usually a secondary opportunistic pathogen due to other underlying conditions.

 

*Live in hair follicles and in sebaceous glands