Bacteriology of hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa: A review

• Published in: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2015-11, Vol.73 (5), p.S12-S18
• Main Authors: Nikolakis, Georgios, MD, PhD, Join-Lambert, Olivier, MD, PhD, Karagiannidis, Ioannis, MD, Guet-Revillet, Hélène, MD, PhD, Zouboulis, Christos C., MD, PhD, Nassif, Aude, MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: acne inversa; Actinobacteria - drug effects; Actinobacteria - isolation & purification; actinomycetes; anaerobes; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; Bacterial Infections - drug therapy; Bacterial Infections - microbiology; bacterial metagenomics; Bacterial Typing Techniques; bacteriology; biofilm; Dermatology; Female; hidradenitis suppurativa; Hidradenitis Suppurativa - drug therapy; Hidradenitis Suppurativa - immunology; Hidradenitis Suppurativa - microbiology; Humans; Immunity, Innate - drug effects; Immunosuppressive Agents - therapeutic use; Male; milleri group streptococci; Prognosis; Prospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Severity of Illness Index; Staphylococcus aureus - drug effects; Staphylococcus aureus - isolation & purification; Staphylococcus lugdunensis; Streptococcus pyogenes - drug effects; Streptococcus pyogenes - isolation & purification; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0190-9622; 1097-6787
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2015.07.041

Given that follicular papules and pustules, as well as nodules and abscesses, are the clinical hallmarks of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), an infectious, bacterial pathway has been suspected in the pathogenesis of this chronic, inflammatory condition. Elucidating the behavior and role of bacterial species in HS and their interaction with cutaneous innate immunity will provide more insight into the pathophysiology of this condition. This review of prospective investigations suggests a synergistic relationship between impaired innate immunity and microbial factors in the etiology of HS.