Senile (solar) comedones

Abstract

The microbial flora of 'senile comedones' was evaluated quantitatively. Corynebacterium acnes and Gram positive cocci were recovered in equivalent amounts. Staphylococcus type II (S II) was the predominant coccus. Pityrosporum species were regularly present. Histopathologic study indicated that 'senile comedones' were large, noninflammatory, open comedones surrounded by extreme degeneration of elastic tissue. Because of the apparent influence of sunlight in pathogenesis, it is proposed that these comedones might be more appropriately called 'solar comedones'.