[Acne inversa. Pathogenesis and genetics]

Acne inversa is a chronic inflammatory disorder of sebaceous follicles and terminal hair follicles and is one type of acne diseases. The pathogenesis of acne inversa is identical with that of the other types: Hyperkeratosis of the follicular infundibulum leads to a comedo. Bacterial infections result in a rupture of the follicular canal followed by a granulomatous inflammatory reaction with abscesses, panniculitis and draining sinuses. Acne inversa has so far only occasionally been observed in two or more members of the same family. The familial presentations of acne inversa published in the literature and two observations of familial occurrence among the authors' own patients reveal an autosomal dominant inheritance with high penetrance.