Microbial profile and antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria isolated from patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease of unknown etiology. There is evidence that bacteria may contribute to initiating the inflammatory response in HS patients. To date, data on bacteria found in HS lesions and their resistance rates are rare. Methods: The results of bacterial cultures and antibiotic susceptibility of the isolated bacteria obtained from HS lesions of 26 patients at our dermatology department were analyzed. Results: A total of 50 samples were collected from HS patients. Of the 50 lesional samples, 46 were culture-positive. The 50 lesional samples yielded 61 isolates. The most common isolated bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus, Diphtheroid, and Escherichia coli. Most of the isolates were resistant to penicillin G, followed by erythromycin, clindamycin and ampicillin. The lowest resistant rates were observed for ceftriaxone, imipenem, amikacin, tetracycline, and vancomycin. Conclusions: Due to the low susceptibility rate and antiinflammatory properties, tetracycline may represent as an effective antibiotic agent for therapy in HS patients.