Is Biofilm Linked to Chronic Lesions in HS?

Biofilm driven-diseases are often characterized by chronic non-healing or recurrent inflammatory lesions, similar to infection but recalcitrant to antibiotic therapy. Chronic lesions of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) exhibit several aspects which are compatible with well-known biofilm infections, according to research published by Ring and colleagues.¹

A recent study, published in British Journal of Dermatology, set out to determine and quantify the potential presence of bacterial aggregates in chronic HS lesions. In 42 consecutive HS patients with chronic lesions, biopsies were obtained from lesional as well as from perilesional skin. Samples were investigated using Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA)—Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH) in combination with Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM). Corresponding histopathological analysis in hematoxylin and eosin slides also were performed.
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Biofilms were observed in 67% of the samples of chronic lesions and in 75% of the perilesional samples. The mean diameter of aggregates in lesional skin was significantly greater than in perilesional skin. Biofilms exceeding 50 μm in diameter were found in 42% of lesional samples and only in only 5% of the perilesional samples. The majority of the large biofilms (aggregates > 50 μm in diameter) were situated in sinus tracts (63%) or in the infundibulum (37%). The majority of the sinus tract samples (73%) contained active bacterial cells, which were associated with inflammation.

“The study suggests that biofilm is associated with inflammation of chronic HS lesions. The aggregates most likely occur as a secondary event, possibly due to predisposing local anatomical changes such as sinus tracts (tunnels), keratinous detritus and dilated hair follicles,” the researchers concluded.

—Lisa Samalonis

Reference:
Ring HC, Bay L, Nilsson M, Kallenbach K, Miller IM, Saunte DM, Bjarnsholt T, Tolker-Nielsen T, Jemec GB. Bacterial Biofilm in Chronic Lesions of Hidradenitis Suppurativa. Br J Dermatol. Published online Aug 26,2016. doi: 10.1111/bjd.15007.