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Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by recurrent, painful nodules and abscesses. It mainly affects areas of the body with skin folds, including the armpits, groin, and beneath the breasts. The impact of the condition goes beyond physical discomfort, such as associated pain, drainage, malodor, and scarring often result in significant negative psychosocial effects for those affected. Studies have revealed notable changes in the skin microbiome of individuals with HS, indicating a complex interaction between microbial communities and the disease's pathophysiology.
What we know:
HS patients exhibit an altered skin microbiome compared to healthy individuals. This dysbiosis is characterized by a reduction in microbial diversity and an overrepresentation of certain pathogenic bacteria (Lelonek et al., 2023).
Studies have found differences in specific bacterial taxa between HS patients and the control group. For instance, it was found that Mesorhizobium, Porphyromonas and Peptoniphilus were more abundant in HS skin than healthy skin, and that Cutibacterium spp. were decreased in HS patients (Lelonek et al., 2023).
An increased level of Gram-negative Porphyromonadaceae, Prevotellaceae, Fusobacteria, and Clostridales in HS patients have also been noted (Luck et al., 2022).
The microbiota in various body sites of HS patients are less diverse and more similar to each other than in healthy individuals (Schneider et al., 2020).
In a study an increase in Finegoldia magna in the groin and axilla of HS patients but a decrease in nasal swabs of these patients were observed (McCarthy et al., 2022).
Industry impact & potential:
Non-obese HS patients have a different microbiome composition from obese ones, with subtle changes. More research is needed to understand these differences and their effects on the disease (Lelonek et al., 2023).
Microbiome research in HS could lead to new diagnostic tools and treatments. For example, profiling the microbiome might help identify those at risk for severe HS or predict how they will respond to treatments.
Our solution:
Sequential is a company specializing in skin microbiome testing, and we use advanced sequencing technologies to analyze skin microbial communities. We provide valuable insights into the microbiome profiles of individuals with HS or any skin conditions, helping to tailor personalized treatment. By partnering with dermatologists and researchers, we play a pivotal role in advancing microbiome-based diagnostics and therapeutics.
Reference:
Lelonek E, Bouazzi D, Jemec GBE, Szepietowski JC. Skin and Gut Microbiome in
Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Systematic Review. Biomedicines. 2023 Aug 16;11(8):2277. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines11082277. PMID: 37626773; PMCID: PMC10452269.
Luck ME, Tao J, Lake EP. The Skin and Gut Microbiome in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Current
Understanding and Future Considerations for Research and Treatment. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2022 Nov;23(6):841-852. doi: 10.1007/s40257-022-00724-w. Epub 2022 Sep 18. PMID: 36116091.
McCarthy S, Barrett M, Kirthi S, Pellanda P, Vlckova K, Tobin AM, Murphy M, Shanahan F,
O'Toole PW. Altered Skin and Gut Microbiome in Hidradenitis Suppurativa. J Invest Dermatol. 2022 Feb;142(2):459-468.e15. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.05.036. Epub 2021 Aug 6. PMID: 34364884.
Schneider AM, Cook LC, Zhan X, Banerjee K, Cong Z, Imamura-Kawasawa Y, Gettle SL,
Longenecker AL, Kirby JS, Nelson AM. Loss of Skin Microbial Diversity and Alteration of Bacterial Metabolic Function in Hidradenitis Suppurativa. J Invest Dermatol. 2020 Mar;140(3):716-720. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2019.06.151. Epub 2019 Aug 27. PMID: 31465743.
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