Comparison of the skin microbiota of patients with acne vulgaris and healthy controls.

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disease of the pilosebaceous units which can affect the individual's physiological and psychological health. Abnormal growth of lipophilic anaerobic bacteria such as Propionibacterium acnes is reported to be a major factor in the development of acne. However, the relationship between skin microorganisms and acne has not been fully elucidated. Our study aimed to explore the microbial differences between patients with acne and healthy controls (HCs). METHODS: The study involved 16 participants diagnosed with acne vulgaris and 5 HCs. We collected skin microbe samples from the cheeks, brow, forehead, neck, chin, or chest of the participants with sterile cotton swabs depending on the location of the acne lesions. Cutaneous microbe samples from the participants were tested by 16s sequencing. RESULTS: Patients with acne showed increased diversity of skin microbiota in their samples. OTU535601 (Lachnospiraceae), OTU4460604 (Clostridiales), OTU3217705 (Moraxellaceae), OTU1066814 (Prevotella), and OTU455671 (Lactococcus garvieae) were the top 5 most abundant species found in patients with acne but were not present in HCs. OTU423327 (Achromobacter), OTU4423360 (Stenotrophomonas), OTU993127 (Porphyromonas), OTU677680 (Prevotella), and OTU269901 (Pseudomonas) were the top 5 most abundant species in HCs but were not found in patients with acne. CONCLUSIONS: The present study has analyzed and compared the diversity and abundance of microorganisms and the characteristics of the main pathogenic bacteria in patients with acne and HCs. Our findings indicate the importance of maintaining the skin's commensal microflora balance with the development of acne vulgaris.

Case series of neck accessory tragus.

We report three cases of neck accessory tragus, which is the largest number of cases with dermatologists reported in China. Neck accessory tragus belongs to special accessory auricular anomaly. Case 1: A 5-year-old girl presented with a skin-colored mass above her right clavicle since birth. Physical examination revealed a pea-sized mass positioned above the right clavicle. Case 2 and case 3 were a 3-month-old female infant and a 4-month-old male infant, respectively. Both of their parents complained that the masses gradually increased in front of the neck. Histopathologically, all of the three cases showed cartilage beneath the subcutaneous tissue. All cases were diagnosed as cervical auricles.