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The role of extracellular polysaccharide substance produced by Staphylococcus epidermidis in miliaria

C M Mowad1, K J McGinley, A Foglia

  • 1Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
|November 1, 1995
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Staphylococcus epidermidis strains producing extracellular polysaccharide substance (EPS) cause miliaria by blocking sweat ducts. This finding highlights the role of EPS in miliaria pathogenesis and identifies S. epidermidis as the key bacterial species involved.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Microbiology
  • Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Cutaneous bacteria, especially coagulase-negative staphylococci, are implicated in miliaria.
  • Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive material obstructs sweat ducts in miliaria.
  • Extracellular polysaccharide substance (EPS), a product of Staphylococcus epidermidis, is a potential cause.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the capacity of different coagulase-negative staphylococci species to induce miliaria.
  • To investigate the specific role of EPS in miliaria development.

Main Methods:

  • Inoculation of various coagulase-negative staphylococci strains on human forearms under occlusion and thermal stimulation.
  • Evaluation of miliaria induction, microbiology, histology, and immunostaining.

Main Results:

  • Only Staphylococcus epidermidis strains induced miliaria.
  • Miliaria induction correlated directly with the ability of S. epidermidis to produce EPS.
  • Other coagulase-negative staphylococci species did not induce miliaria.

Conclusions:

  • Extracellular polysaccharide substance (EPS) is the PAS-positive material blocking sweat delivery in miliaria.
  • EPS produced by Staphylococcus epidermidis is central to miliaria pathogenesis.
  • EPS-producing staphylococcal strains are prevalent in human skin flora.

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