Bacteriological profile in patients of atopic dermatitis: Comparison between normal and lesional skin

Abstract

  Objective To determine the bacteriological profile in normal and lesional skin in patients of atopic dermatitis. Methods In this cross sectional study, patients of either sex, fulfilling the modified Hanifan & Rajka criteria for atopic dermatitis were enrolled. Patients on topical and / or systemic antibiotics or having concurrent scabies were excluded. After washing with normal saline, swabs were taken from selected sites and were sent to pathology laboratory preferably within an hour, where cultures were performed aerobically for growth identification. Results A total of 115 patients were enrolled, mean age was 50.02±11.4 years [range 02-65years]. In lesional skin, 109 (95%) patients were culture positive while in non lesional skin 89 (77%) were culture positive (p value 0.0002). In lesional skin, swabs were positive for Staph aureus in 47% followed by Streptococci (31%), Staph & Streptococci (22%), Staph epidermidis (8.5%), Staph & enterococcus (6.5%), Pseudomonas (3%), and E coli and proteus (1% each). No growth was seen in 5%. In non lesional skin, swabs were positive for Staph epidermidis in 34% followed by Streptococci in 26%, Staph aureus in 17%, while23% had no growth. Conclusion Staph aureus and Streptococci, or both Staph.+Streptococci are commonly found microorganisms from lesional skin of patients with atopic dermatitis while Staph epidermidis and Staph. + Streptococci are commonly found organisms on the normal skin.