Prevalence of Cutaneous Bacterial Colonization in
Thai Patients with Psoriasis
Leena Chularojanamontri MD*,
Chanisada Wongpraparut MD*, Papapit Tuchinda MD*, Waranaree Winayanuwattikun MD*,
Adhiratha Boonyasiri MD**, Kanokvalai Kulthanan MD*, Visanu Thamlikitkul MD***
Affiliation :
* Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
** Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Research and Development, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital,
Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
*** Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital,
Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To determine bacterial colonization of skin, scalp, nares, nails, and psoriasis lesion in Thai psoriasis patients
and compare findings with those of healthy controls.
Material and Method: Sixty patients with chronic plaque-type psoriasis and 60 healthy controls of similar age and gender
were enrolled. Swabs of nares, scalp, nails, and non-lesional skin were taken from all subjects. Swabs of lesional skin were
taken from psoriasis patients. Aerobic bacteria were isolated from swab specimens.
Results : Patients with psoriasis had significantly higher rate of bacteria colonization in nares, scalp, and nails than those
of healthy controls. Firmicutes spp. was the most common phyla, followed by Proteobacteria spp. in both groups. Coagulase-
negative staphylococci (CoNS) were the most common pathogens isolated from lesional skin, non-lesional skin, scalp, and
nares of psoriasis patients. Streptococcus spp. was found only in psoriasis patients.
Conclusion : Similar to findings from Caucasian psoriasis patients, Firmicutes spp. was found to be the most common phyla
colonizing the skin of Asian psoriasis patients. Streptococcus spp. was found to colonize only the skin. Further studies are
needed to determine the clinical significance of streptococcal skin colonization in psoriasis patients.
Keywords : Bacteria, Colonization, Psoriasis
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