Hidradenitis suppurativa: bacteriological study in surgical treatment

Abstract

Introduction: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory chronic disease of the hair follicles that presents with different lesions in the apocrine gland-bearing areas of the human body. There are many possible factors for HS. Acne inversa is not primarily considered to be an infectious disease. A variety of Gram-positive and Gramnegative bacteria have been found from the lesions sporadically. Aim: To assess the bacteriological profile of HS before surgical treatment. Material and methods: We collected specimens for aerobic microbiological testing from 18 patients before surgical treatment in our hospital. The specimens were obtained from abscesses, directly from skin fistulas, on day 1 of hospitalisation. Results: The most common bacteria in HS lesions were Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis. In 4 patients we found multi-drug-resistant bacteria (MLSB, MRSA and A. baumannii). Conclusions: Long-term antibiotic treatment can cause multi-drug resistance in strains collected in HS lesions.