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Bacteriology of inflamed and uninflamed epidermal inclusion cysts
D G Diven1, S E Dozier, D J Meyer
1Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA. DDiven@utmb.edu
Objective:
To determine whether inflamed and uninflamed epidermoid cysts differ in the number and/or type of bacteria inhabiting them.
Design:
A controlled study. We obtained aerobic and anaerobic bacterial culture specimens from 25 inflamed and 25 uninflamed epidermoid cysts.
Setting:
A university medical center.
Patients:
Nonimmunocompromised adults without recent systemic use of antibiotics.
Results:
The 2 groups did not differ significantly with respect to number of bacterial isolates, "no growth" cultures, and aerobic, anaerobic, or potential pathogens cultured.
Conclusions:
The microbiological milieu of inflamed epidermoid cysts is similar to that of uninflamed cysts. Possible mechanisms for inflammation are discussed.